Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will not be replacing Gareth Southgate as England’s coach following Southgate’s resignation after England’s loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Southgate ended his eight-year tenure, prompting speculation that the Football Association (FA) might approach Klopp, who recently left Liverpool after a successful stint that included Premier League and Champions League titles.
However, The Telegraph reports that Klopp will not be available for the England role in time for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, as he plans to take a year-long sabbatical from top-level management until July 2025.
This break is intended for Klopp to rest from football management, which he has been involved in for the past 23 years.
With Klopp’s decision to take a break, the FA will likely need to appoint a caretaker or interim manager for the World Cup qualification process. This could open the possibility of considering Klopp for the role ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, it is uncertain if Klopp would be interested in the England job when he returns, given his potential for multiple offers from clubs and national teams worldwide.
Klopp’s desire to take a break from football highlights his need to explore life outside the sport and recharge before returning to management.
He recently declined formal discussions with the United States about their national team manager role, reinforcing his commitment to his sabbatical.
As the FA searches for Southgate’s successor, Klopp’s future remains a point of interest.
While managing England is not entirely off the table for him, any appointment would have to wait until after his sabbatical, leaving the FA to find a short-term solution for the upcoming qualifiers.
