Jurgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool and has vowed not to work for another team in England, but the German cannot confirm retirement plans just yet.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
German will leave Anfield in the summerSpent almost nine years on MerseysideUnsure what the future holds for himWHAT HAPPENED?
The 56-year-old Premier League and Champions League-winning coach stunned the football world when announcing that he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. His current contract was due to run until 2026, but that deal will not be honoured as Klopp feels the time has come for him to walk away.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Inevitably, questions are being asked of what the future will hold for Klopp. Various names are being offered up as potential successors to him on Merseyside, while the man himself is being mooted for international management roles. He is adamant that no return to the Premier League will be made, but cannot rule out another dugout being filled at some stage once he has taken in a year-long break – even if right now he can't imagine managing anywhere else.
WHAT KLOPP SAID
Klopp has told of his future plans: āIf you ask me, āWill you ever work as a manager again?ā I would say now no. But I donāt know obviously how that will feel because I never had the situation. What I know definitely ā I will never, ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool, 100 per cent. Thatās not possible. My love for this club, my respect for the people is too big. I couldnāt. I couldnāt for a second think about it. Thereās no chance. This is part of my life, we are part of the family, we feel home here. Thereās no chance to do that. But all the rest, will I ever work again? Of course, I know myself, I cannot just sit around. I will find something else maybe to do. But I will not manage a club or a country at least for a year, thatās not possible, I cannot do that and I donāt want to. Thatās all.ā
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
Klopp added on why he had to take the decision to step down himself, with nobody at Anfield about to push him out: āItās such a strange situation because I have to explain that I donāt have energy anymore, but now Iām sitting here and I have energy and Iām buzzing for everything thatās happening here. But because of the relationship we have, I have to think about this. Because nobody will sack me, I have to make this decision by myself. The responsibility I have for everything here tells me Iām not the right one for the future, so I have to tell. As much as I wish I would be. And thatās what I do here. Itās completely strange.ā