Jurgen Klopp is set to step down as manager of Liverpool this summer. His departure marks the conclusion of a nine-year tenure with the club.
Amid his imminent departure, ex-Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has made predictions about Klopp’s future in management.
Rummenigge believes that Klopp will not remain idle for long after leaving Liverpool. Instead, he predicts that Klopp will return to management within the next year. This speculation comes amid Liverpool’s continued pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple, with the team still in contention for multiple trophies.
Following his announcement of departure, Klopp reiterated his decision to refrain from pursuing another role within the upcoming year, citing exhaustion as a primary factor. Additionally, he affirmed his stance of never returning to manage in England. During a press conference, he stated:
“Whatever will happen in the future I don’t know now but no club, no country for the next year. No other English club ever, I can promise that.”
Despite Klopp not dismissing the possibility of retiring after this season, Rummenigge believes he will return to the dugout before long.
“He will be sitting on the bench somewhere again in a year at the latest,” he said on the TOMorrow Business and Style podcast, as Sport Witness shared. “We are all crazy, he’s just like all of us.
“(Football is) a drug at this level. (You need) to get away from this drug, but at some point, the danger of returning is more than latent, I can already predict that to you today. At some point, and I already know that today, he’ll be itching again.”
Xabi Alonso‘s name continues to circulate as a potential replacement for Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, following his successful stint with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have also shown interest in Alonso after parting ways with Thomas Tuchel, the former coach.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s recent remarks coincide with speculation linking Alonso to the vacant German national team job, as Julian Nagelsmann‘s contract expires post-Euro 2024. The outcome of the tournament is likely to influence Nagelsmann’s future with the team.
According to reports from SportBILD, Klopp remains the “dream solution” for the German FA, although there is no immediate pressure for him to return to coaching. The Germany preference would be to entice Klopp back in March 2025, ahead of the World Cup the following year. In the interim, they are open to considering other temporary solutions.
Klopp has consistently emphasised his need for rest, suggesting he will indeed proceed with his plans to take a year off. The speculation surrounding the Germany job is intriguing, as such a role may hold appeal for the Liverpool boss at this juncture of his career.
Should the hosts disappoint at Euro 2024 this summer, leading to a failure, it’s anticipated that Nagelsmann will be replaced, making Klopp a highly sought-after candidate.
In other Liverpool news, Steve McManaman Drops Honest Advice for Liverpool Youngsters on How to Thrive at Anfield After Jurgen Klopp Departure