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Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been with Red Bull since October 2024 (Picture: Getty)
There are growing fears at Red Bull GmbH that Jurgen Klopp could leave his post as Head of Global Soccer to take over as manager of the German national team this summer.
Klopp sent shockwaves around the footballing world back in early 2024 as he announced that his ninth year in charge of Liverpool would be his last on Merseyside.
After what had been a difficult period for the club, Klopp led the Reds to a total of eight pieces of silverware, including the Champions League trophy in 2019 and the Premier League title the following season.
The extraordinary era of success cemented Klopp’s place among the most revered managers in Liverpool’s history alongside the likes of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.
Just five months after his final match in the Premier League, Klopp ended his sabbatical to take on a role as the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull group, overseeing their international network of clubs, including RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, as an advisor.
Klopp has kept his cards relatively close to his chest regarding potential plans in the more distant future and has repeatedly gone on record saying he would never betray Liverpool by managing another team in England.
The 58-year-old found himself heavily linked to the Real Madrid job when Xabi Alonso was relieved of his duties in the wake of the side’s defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
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Biathlon - Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 11
The German made a special appearance at the Winter Olympics (Picture: Getty)
Germany v Slovakia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
Naglesmann’s contract with Germany runs through to 2028 (Picture: Getty)
But Alvaro Arbeloa took over the reins from Alonso and talk of Klopp being installed at the Bernabeu has ‘faded into the background’, according to German publication Bild.
It’s claimed an early termination of Klopp’s deal with Red Bull ‘has not yet been discussed’. In fact, there have been informal discussions regarding a possible contract extension.
However, the report suggests it is an ‘open secret’ that Red Bull are not overly pleased by Klopp’s increasingly low profile, with the German said to be attending matches and visiting training centres less and less frequently.
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Klopp has, though, been seen at numerous PR events, including the recent Winter Olympics in Italy, which has led others within the Red Bull hierarchy organisation to ‘wonder’ about his future.
A quick return to club management is considered ‘out of the question’ given the rigorous day-to-day work required for such a job, which Klopp admitted played a large part in his decision to quit Liverpool two years ago.
But the prospect of Klopp succeeding Julian Nagelsmann as head coach of the German national team is deemed ‘very conceivable’ after this summer’s World Cup.
New York Red Bulls v CF Montreal
Klopp has refused to rule out a return to Liverpool in the future (Picture: Getty)
Klopp’s advisor Marc Kosicke has made no secret of the fact the DFB (the German FA) have made several enquiries, even talking up the possibility should the opportunity present itself at some stage.
‘I don’t think he feels he has to do it at least once,’ Kosicke told Transfermarkt last month.
‘Rather, he feels a sense of obligation, that he couldn’t always say no to the job.’
The report adds that even though Nagelsmann’s deal with Germany is not due to expire until 2028, the idea of Klopp taking on the role before that date is ‘considered very likely’ by a growing number at Red Bull.
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Elsewhere in his interview with Transfermarkt, Kosicke sensationally claimed that both Chelsea and Manchester United made unsuccessful approaches for Klopp after his client and close friend had departed Anfield.
‘Even Chelsea and Manchester United inquired, although Jurgen had clearly stated that he would not coach any other club in England. These inquiries keep coming,’ Kosicke said.
‘He’s extremely happy with what he’s achieved.
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final
Klopp steered Liverpool to eight trophies during an extraordinary nine-year reign (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s still wonderful to go down in history as one of the few coaches who only managed three clubs and were never fired.’
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea and Manchester United were both quick to deny these claims.
In October, Klopp suggested it was ‘theoretically possible’ that he could one day return for a second stint with Liverpool while appearing as a guest on The Diary of a CEO podcast.
‘I said I will never coach another team, a different team, in England,’ he told podcast host Steven Bartlett.
‘So that means if then it’s Liverpool … yeah. Theoretically it’s possible
‘I’m 58, that means I could make the decision in a few years, I don’t know.
‘Do I have to make the decision today? Then I will not coach again.
‘But thank God, I don’t have to do that. I can just see what the future brings.’
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