Jürgen Klopp rules himself out of becoming new England manager

KLOPP OUT: Jürgen Klopp has ruled himself out of the race to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

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 national team post vacated by Southgate in the wake of England’s Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain, alongside the likes of Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino. 

But the German, who departed from 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.

“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 Wurzburg.

“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.”

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.