Klopp has thus far denied he has another role line-up elsewhere, instead citing the need for a break from football following eight-and-a-half-years on Merseyside. And he’s also vowed not to take another job in England, claiming he would not be able to face leading a side out against Liverpool.
But the 56-year-old has already given a strong indicator of how long he’ll be in management if he does get appointed elsewhere. Back in September 2016, which marked a year since he replaced Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, the former Borussia Dortmund boss outlined his deadline for retirement.
Predicting he would end his career in Germany, he told RedaktionsNetwerk: “I certainly will (return) to live, but I don’t know if I will be back there as a coach yet. The day will come when I say, ‘thanks, it was a pleasure’.
Klopp has already cemented legendary status at Liverpool having led the club to the 2018/19 Champions League, followed by their first top-flight title in 30 years. His tenure has also seen the club capture the League Cup, FA Cup, European Super Cup and World Club Cup.
At Sunday’s home FA Cup tie against Norwich, he was given a huge ovation by supporters. However, he’s insisted there is no chance of him reversing his decision before the end of the campaign, irrespective of the desire of supporters.
“It’s very, very unlikely that I will still be sitting on the bench when I am 60. And, if at the end of my career I only got to coach Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool, then it will certainly have been three fantastic clubs.”
Tellingly, Klopp will finish with the Reds just weeks shy of his 57th birthday. That would leave him with just three seasons in the game, and given his desire to take time out, in reality his next move is unlikely to go beyond two years.
Following his shock decision, he’s been linked with the German national side, with Julian Nagelsmann set to stand down after Euro 2024. Bayern Munich has also been touted as a possible destination amid growing pressure on Thomas Tuchel.