It's going to be a busy summer for the former Liverpool manager
Jurgen Klopp has received an honorary CBE
Jurgen Klopp has received an honorary CBE(Image: Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp has received an honorary CBE in recognition of his services to football. The 58-year-old forged an incredible connection with the city of Liverpool in his nine-year spell at the charge of the Reds.
This was recognised in 2022 when the German received a the Freedom of Liverpool at the Town Hall. His connection to the community in the city has been recognised again today as it was announced he would be receiving an honorary CBE. The update was confirmed on the website of Klopp's representative, ProjectFIVE.
The announcement said: "Jurgen Klopp has been awarded an Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), in recognition of his outstanding services to football and his enduring contribution to the Liverpool community."
The agency added: "The award of an Honorary CBE is a fitting continuation of that recognition. It reflects not only Klopp’s achievements in football, but also the values he consistently represented, leadership with empathy, success with humility, and a belief that the game can be a force for good.
"ProjectFIVE is proud to support Jürgen Klopp and to celebrate this moment, one that recognises not just excellence in football, but a lasting and meaningful contribution to British sporting culture and community life."
The update comes ahead of what promises to be a busy period for Klopp as he will be on broadcasting duties for the upcoming World Cup. The tournament, which spans across America, Canada and Mexico, gets underway on Thursday, June 11 when Mexico take on South Africa.
Klopp will be on punditry duties for Magenta TV, which was revealed on social media last year. The post teased a return to the dugout after stepping down from boss at Liverpool as he said: "Many of you have always known better, but I truly couldn’t envision it for myself.
“Going back to the sideline? I don’t miss anything. This is what I always thought. But now it is tingling again. Grass underneath my feet. The heated atmosphere in the stadium. And I want to be really close again.”
Klopp then addressed the camera as he shut down suggestions of a managerial return once more. “Oh? No, not as a manager,” he clarified. “I am becoming a pundit for Magenta TV at the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
Klopp is jetting off across the Atlantic today as he shared a snap on Instagram. In the first image, he said: "Guess where I'm going?" The next image confirmed it was to this summer's tournament as he said: "To the World Cup."
It's also been a summer of change for Klopp's old role as Andoni Iraola was announced as the Reds' new boss. The Basque's close friend and former Club Athletic teammate spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview last week about why Iraola is the perfect man to re-energise the Reds.
He said: "He plays a very fast, high-tempo style of football. He loves winning the ball back high up the pitch and reaching the opposition goal in just a few touches. At the same time, his teams know when to take control of the game and slow the tempo down when needed. He adapts very well to whatever the opposition proposes. I think the fans at Anfield are going to enjoy themselves this season."
But, more than playing style, Gurpegui believes Iraola's character will resonate with those on Merseyside. He said: "Football in Bilbao has always been closely linked to English football because of the way people understand and live their passion for their teams, the climate, and the strong sense of belonging that exists among the fans.
"I have no doubt that Andoni will connect with the people of Liverpool because he has already done so everywhere he has been — in Bilbao, Miranda de Ebro, Vallecas, and Bournemouth."