Jurgen Klopp has been back in the news this week and that's been enough for some people to ponder a return to Liverpool for the former boss
Jurgen Klopp has been spotted at the Winter Olympics
Jurgen Klopp has been spotted at the Winter Olympics(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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If ever there has been someone loving life away from the dugout, it's Jurgen Klopp. And the former Liverpool boss was at it again this week, spotted at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday having been given the call to ring the bell for the final lap of the men's biathlon relay at the Milan Cortina games.
The previous day, though, emerged the claim from his agent Marc Kosicke that Chelsea and Manchester United had both made an approach for his client since departing the Reds in the summer of 2024.
Klopp, who has always said he would never manage another English club, will be back at Anfield next month as assistant to Liverpool Legends manager Kenny Dalglish for the showdown against Borussia Dortmund. But is there really scope for him ever resuming his role as Reds first-team boss?
Ian Doyle
Strange the delayed reaction from those who would like to see Jurgen Klopp back as Liverpool boss. There wasn't much call for it when his successor Arne Slot was guiding the Reds to a dominant Premier League title success last season.
But following in the footsteps of Klopp was never going be easy. And that became apparent this campaign when, for myriad reasons, Liverpool have struggled in their defence of the championship.
One aspect, of course, has been Slot having to fashion a team with his signings following the departure of so many Klopp stalwarts during the summer.
But anyone who wants the German to return has clearly not been paying attention. For a start, there's the manner in which Klopp is clearly enjoying himself after almost a quarter-of-a-century in the pressurised arena of football management. He has thus far shown little hankering for a return.
Then there's the old adage you should never go back. Sure, there are the odd exceptions in football, but it tends to ring true.
Plus, of course, there's absolutely no suggestion Fenway Sports Group are looking at replacing Slot, whose title win has placed sufficient credit in the bank with the club's owners with Liverpool's recent run of just two defeats in 19 games suggesting his revamped team is finally clicking into gear.
Next month's Legends game is almost certain to be the only way Klopp will ever - and most likely will want - to be back in the Anfield dugout. Liverpool have moved on, and so has Klopp. Everyone should do likewise.
Mark Jones
Every so often, about once a week on average, I think about the fact that there are an enormous number of people out there who think that Jurgen Klopp is just the bloke from the Trivago advert who likes to travel and get good deals on hotels.
Klopp gave a lot of interviews when he was stepping down from his position as Liverpool manager and so it was difficult to keep track of everything he said, but in one he claimed that he'd earned a lot of money in his career and now it was his time to enjoy spending it.
What is clear from his post-Anfield escapades though is that he is still earning money just from being Jurgen Klopp, with a vast array of brands and organisations vying to be associated with one of football's best and most marketable characters. He's gone from a world weary football manager to a grinning influencer in the space of a couple of years, and all in his mid-to-late 50s. He's clearly having a wonderful time.
So why would anyone who values the contribution he made to Liverpool Football Club, and indeed Liverpool as a city, want him to return to the Anfield dugout for anything more than just a charity match?
It'll be great to see him back at Anfield next month of course but it should only be a fleeting glimpse, and just the next stop on his never ending, and enjoyable, world tour.
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