Image Credits: Imago Images
Speculation around Jurgen Klopp’s next move has been relentless ever since he swapped the Anfield dugout for a desk job in the Red Bull empire – and last week the rumour mill focused firmly on Atletico Madrid. Reports in Spain claimed the former Liverpool boss was already in talks over succeeding Diego Simeone, sparking predictable excitement on social media.
However, Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke has since moved to play those stories down, that links with Atletico – and other elite clubs – are nothing more than “stupid speculation” at this stage.
But despite the official statement, the story around Klopp has not settled.
A new report from Bild, relayed by Get German Football News, claims senior figures within the Red Bull group are increasingly worried that Klopp could walk away from his corporate post this summer to take over the German national team.
The 58-year-old is said to be growing restless in his largely administrative position, with Austrian outlet Salzburger Nachrichten previously reporting tensions behind the scenes and frustration over poor results at flagship clubs RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.
With Leipzig languishing outside the Bundesliga title picture and Salzburg struggling in Europe, the project has not delivered the sporting uplift Red Bull hoped Klopp’s strategic oversight would bring.
Bild now suggest that, against this backdrop, Red Bull chiefs fear the timing is perfect for the German FA to make their move, especially with questions lingering over the long‑term future of Julian Nagelsmann beyond this summer’s World Cup.
Klopp has long been viewed as the dream candidate in Germany, and the prospect of returning to the touchline for his country is described as one of the few challenges that could tempt him away from his sabbatical‑style role.
So while talk of Atletico Madrid appears premature for now, the sense from Germany is that Red Bull may soon be fighting a different battle altogether – trying to convince Klopp not to answer the call from the national team.
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