Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp continues to be tipped for a return to football management – but not with who you might expect
Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has suggested the England job would be an ideal fit for ex-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.
The 58-year-old was in charge at Anfield between 2015 and 2024, winning the Premier League and Champions League among other trophies during that period. At the end of January last year, the German coach announced he would step down at the end of the 2023/24 season, citing the fact he was ‘running out of energy’ as a key reason behind his decision.
He was ultimately succeeded by Arne Slot, who went on to win the Premier League in his first season in charge as head coach last term. Klopp, meanwhile, has since taken up a role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, working as part of their multi-club structure.
Despite widespread claims that Klopp is content in his current role and has no desire to return to management anytime soon, that has not stopped the rumour mill linking him with a move. Be it a shock return to Liverpool, taking the reins at Real Madrid or even a surprise switch to Premier League rivals Tottenham, he has long been tipped to make a comeback.
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Even prior to Klopp’s departure from Anfield, he had been earmarked to take charge of the German national team at some point. Julian Nagelsmann is currently the manager and his deal runs until after Euro 2028, but his future will largely depend on how Germany perform at next summer’s World Cup, or whether a club of such stature could tempt him away.
However, according to Riise, it is not the Germany job that would suit Klopp best. Instead, he believes England could be an ideal fit in the future.
The Three Lions are currently managed by a German coach in Thomas Tuchel, who has been tasked with guiding them to glory at next summer’s World Cup. Aside from interim boss Lee Carsley, Gareth Southgate previously managed England between 2016 and 2024.
“Klopp loves life, he loves what he’s doing, he has passion for whatever he’s doing,” Riise said in an interview with Casinostugan. “I would love to see him back, obviously, because of the energy and who he is, but at the same time, his legacy now is high.
“He’s done so well for Dortmund and for Liverpool, and I can’t see that he can do even better at another club. So he might just be happy that ‘I’m there now and I did what I did’ and do other things.
“But anyway, I do think his job at Liverpool cost him a lot. He was mentally and physically drained because he put everything he had into that job, basically all his energy. If he does come back, I think he’ll come back as a national team manager somewhere. I don’t think he’s going to be a manager for a club.
“I think he would love the England job at one stage. But I see him as a national team manager because that’s not as intense as being a club manager.”
