Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will not replace Gareth Southgate as England coach following Southgate’s decision to step down.
Southgate announced on Tuesday that he would resign after England’s Euro 2024 campaign in Germany, where they lost 2-1 to Spain in the final.
With England needing a new coach for the first time in eight years, many fans hoped the FA would approach Klopp, who recently left Liverpool.
However, The Telegraph reports that Klopp will not be available in time for the World Cup qualifiers, as he plans to take a year off from top-level management. He is expected to be ready for a new role in July 2025.
This means the FA will need a caretaker or interim manager to start the World Cup qualification process before possibly considering Klopp for the 2026 tournament.
Klopp recently declined to enter formal discussions with the United States about replacing Gregg Berhalter as their national team manager, signaling his intent to take a proper break after 23 years of coaching.
Klopp has expressed a desire to experience other aspects of life before returning to football, recognizing the sport’s demands.
It’s also uncertain if he would be interested in the England job when he returns, as many clubs and countries will likely pursue him in 2025.
