Soccer

Jürgen Klopp rules himself out of contention for England manager role

Gareth Southgate stood down as England manager following their loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final

Jurgen Klopp stood down as Liverpool manager at the end of last season. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty
Jurgen Klopp stood down as Liverpool manager at the end of last season. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty
Wed Jul 31 2024 - 14:03

Former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has ruled himself out of the race to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager, claiming it would constitute the “biggest loss of face in the history of football” were he to take the job so soon after leaving Liverpool in order to have a break from the sport.

Klopp has been linked with the post vacated by Southgate in the wake of England’s Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain, alongside Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino, among others.

But the German, who departed Liverpool at the end of last season after a hugely successful nine-year spell at Anfield because he was “running out of energy”, has now moved to distance himself from such speculation.

Klopp also took the opportunity to take himself out of the running in the search for a new head coach for the US men’s national team following the July dismissal of Gregg Berhalter after a group-stage exit at the Copa America.

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“At the moment, there is nothing at all in terms of jobs. No club, no country,” said Klopp, speaking at the International Coaches’ Congress in Würzburg. “A few people must not have heard this part. And it would be the biggest loss of face in the history of football if you said, ‘I’ll make an exception for you now’.

“I’m going to do some work. I’m too young to only do padel tennis and grandchildren. Will that be coach again? I would actually rule that out at the moment. Let’s see what it will look like in a few months. Nothing is coming through at the moment.

“Maybe we can talk about it again in a few months. I still want to work in football and help people with my experience and contacts. Let’s see what else there is for me.”

He added: “As of today, that’s it for me as a coach. I didn’t quit on a whim, but it was a general decision. I’ve also coached the best clubs in the world.

“Maybe we can talk about it again in a few months. I still want to work in football and help people with my experience and contacts. Let’s see what else there is for me.”

The England Under-21s manager, Lee Carsley, is also among those linked with the vacancy created by Southgate’s departure. Whoever does take charge of the senior team will be seeking qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to be staged across North America and Mexico. – Guardian