Jurgen Klopp has been out of the dugout since his shock Liverpool departure two years ago
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool and football management in 2024 but speculation about a return continues(Image: Getty Images)
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Red Bull will not stand in the way of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp if he wants to return to football management, according to reports.
The German has been in his position as the organisation's Head of Global Soccer for over 12 months following his shock Reds departure. However, reports in Austria suggest that the German could be on the verge of stepping down from his role with the energy drink giant.
Klopp's remit sees him oversee football operations across the Red Bull football network, spanning Leipzig and Salzburg to New York and Bragantino in Brazil. But it has been claimed that although the partnership has worked on the media front, with the organisation having a worldwide focus on them since Klopp's arrival, performances on the pitch haven't been so satisfactory with RB Leipzig sitting fifth in the Bundesliga.
Salzburger Nachrichten, via BILD, have claimed that Red Bull would not stand in Klopp's way if he was open to a return to management. If he did so wish to step foot back in the dugout, the outlet has claimed that departing Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been chosen as his successor and is a ready-made replacement.
Klopp will return to the dugout next month when Liverpool legends take on Borussia Dortmund at Anfield. It will be the first time that the Champions League and Premier League-winning tactician will be in the L4 hotseat since the final game of his tenure against Wolves in 2024.
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The German has made it no secret that he is happy away from the pressurised situation of a competitive dressing room, as he appears to be relishing the new challenge in a hierarchical role at Red Bull.
Despite that, speculation over his next move has remained rife, and it is likely to intensify after the World Cup in the summer, as he has faced constant links as a replacement of Julian Nagelsmann as Germany's head coach.
He has also been touted to replace Arne Slot after the Dutchman's early-season troubles. A podcast with Stephen Bartlett was released hours after Liverpool's defeat to Manchester United where the German admitted a return to Liverpool would be possible.
He said: "I said I will never coach a team in England again, that means if it's Liverpool, theoretically it's possible. I don't know exactly, I love what I do right now. I don't miss coaching, I do coach now but just different.
"I don't miss standing in the rain, two-and-a-half [to] three hours; I don't miss going to press conferences three times a week, and having 12 interviews a week. I don't miss that; I don't."
Recently, it emerged that Manchester United, Chelsea and a host of national teams have sounded out Klopp over a possible return.
Klopp's long-time agent Marc Kosicke revealed in an interview that the Reds' Premier League rivals had approached him over a managerial comeback, while England and the USA also made contact over their head coach roles.
Speaking to Transfermarkt, Kosicke said: "Maybe at some point he'll say he needs to smell the locker room again. But at the moment he's very, very happy in his role.
"Before joining Red Bull, Jürgen could have coached the United States or England. Probably also Germany, if Julian Nagelsmann hadn't already been there.
"Even Chelsea and Manchester United inquired, although Jürgen had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England.
"These inquiries keep coming. He's extremely happy with what he's achieved. And it's still wonderful to go down in history as one of the few coaches who only managed three clubs and were never fired."
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