Liverpool is getting ready for a new battle to keep Jurgen Klopp on staff amid credible allegations that the 56-year-old is the front-runner to succeed Joachim Low as Germany’s national coach.
Under Klopp’s leadership, the Reds have experienced one of their most prosperous periods in club history, leading them to four European finals, with victory coming in the 2019 Champions League. In addition, he guided them to the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and—most significantly—the Premier League title in 2020, ending a 30-year drought for the Merseysiders.
Almost eight years after his appointment in October 2015, Klopp currently holds a remarkably excellent 60.2 win percent record at the helm of Anfield. And his name is mentioned alongside the club’s all-time greats, such Kenny Dalglish, Bill Shankly, and Bob Paisley.
There will be a great deal of emotion at Anfield when the time comes for Liverpool to part company with Klopp.
Fortunately, there aren’t many occupations in the world that could tempt him to leave. Thankfully, Liverpool has resisted over the years affiliations to clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and the Germany job.
Klopp did, however, acknowledge in 2019 that if his country ever made a request, he would have to seriously evaluate his alternatives.
Die Mannschaft parted ways with Hansi Flick on Sunday, and they are now looking for a new coach once more. After a humiliating 4-1 loss to Japan in Wolfsburg, the former Bayern manager was abruptly fired.
The German FA currently has a shortlist of four candidates for the position, with Jurgen Klopp topping the list as their “dream” choice.
They want him to assume leadership roles right now and aid in regaining the nation’s footing before the 2024 European Championships.
As a Liverpool exit strategy unfolds, Klopp is one of three candidates for the Germany post.
Oliver Glasner, who most recently led Eintracht Frankfurt, and Ralf Rangnick, a former manager of Manchester United, are among candidates for the position. Thomas Tuchel, who was just named the head coach of Bayern Munich, also appears to be a challenging choice.
The German FA, though, reportedly has Klopp at the top of their list and is preparing a massive deal to entice him away from Merseyside.
They are “dreaming” of naming Klopp as Flick’s successor, says former Premier League striker and current pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft, and if they can’t get him outright, they’ll even give him the option to co-manage both Germany and Liverpool.
Although a co-operation of responsibilities cannot be completely ruled out, Liverpool supporters can be confident that Klopp won’t violate the terms of the contract extension he recently signed, which extends his tenure until the summer of 2026.
There is no denying that being the national coach would be a tremendous honor, Klopp told Sky Deutschland over the summer. “My loyalty is the issue that prevents the whole thing from happening.
“I can’t just up and leave Liverpool now and declare that I’ll rule Germany for a while. The request isn’t even there, therefore that doesn’t function. I need to be available if I’m going to do it at some time, which I’m not at the moment. I have an obligation to the club.
Klopp admits a position in Germany may attract him.
In general, it’s an intriguing job, said Klopp. After I leave Liverpool, I’m not sure if I’ll do something entirely different, though. I want to have a variety of possibilities.
There is therefore a significant chance that Klopp will step down to lead Die Mannschaft in 2026. He has already acknowledged that when the time is right, he will probably go back to his own country.
But at the moment, it seems unlikely at best that they will be able to persuade him to accept the position.
They will therefore probably need to go elsewhere given Klopp’s current response of “thanks, but no thanks.” It might be a different response in two years, though.
In the interim, Klopp is working on his preparations for Saturday’s match between Liverpool and Wolves.
He will enter the game feeling confident after their recent 3-0 victory over Aston Villa and the pivotal role that summer signing Waturu Endo played in Japan’s victory over Germany.
