Jurgen Klopp has branded speculation of a return to management as "BS" as he remains focused on his Red Bull job.
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Klopp has been linked to Real Madrid & RomaThe manager shut down all rumoursInsisted that there is no chance "in the next few years"Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! š¢š±WHAT HAPPENED?
Following his stint at Anfield, Klopp transitioned into a strategic role with Red Bull, where he now serves as the Head of Global Soccer. In this capacity, the German tactician oversees the football philosophy and direction of Red Bullās multi-club portfolio, including teams like RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg. However, reports have suggested that he may not be fully satisfied in his current post, leading to links with several managerial vacancies across Europe.
AdvertisementImago ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
One of the most persistent stories placed Klopp in the frame to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. However, those rumours have died down with Xabi Alonso heading to the Spanish capital. Recently, Klopp was associated with a surprise move to AS Roma. Italian media floated the possibility of Klopp succeeding Claudio Ranieri, who is set to take up a new position in the clubās hierarchy this summer. However, the German was quick to mock the rumours during a recent appearance in Liverpool.
WHAT KLOPP SAID
While speaking at an event hosted by Liverpoolās charitable arm, the LFC Foundation, Klopp made his stance crystal clear.
āI donāt miss the job, to be 100 percent honest,ā he said. āWhatever you read in the newspapers for the next, at least, two to three years if thereās any football link to a coaching job you can be the first to say, āThatās bulls***!ā Iām not going to Rome. I got messages in the morning, āRoma is a nice cityā, and I thought, āYeah? But I heard that beforeā.ā
When asked to elaborate on his timeline away from active coaching, Klopp didnāt mince words.
āThe plan is forever. Iām not changing my mind now, now and now," he insisted. āWhat Iām doing now I really like. I create again a relationship with the people I work with and I want to build that, itās cool. We kind of have a new life. Itās not three games a week, 12 press conferences and an interview every five minutes.
āMaking a lineup is really difficult, telling this player he will not play, the doctor calls you and tells you he is injured, the doctor never calls and says, āBy the way, just want to tell you they are all fitā. I donāt miss that, I had it long enough. I love the game, I still work in football and I do what Iām quite OK at and I want to do that and not just chasing the next thing. Maybe that grows in me, I donāt know. When Iām 70 and I say letās go back, but I canāt see that.ā
gettyWHAT NEXT FOR KLOPP?
Kloppās career has been characterized by passion, commitment, and intensity ā traits he brought to every club he managed, from Mainz to Borussia Dortmund, and then to Liverpool. But now, he seems content to step away from the grind. Heās trading the dugout for the boardroom ā and if his latest statements are anything to go by, heās not looking back. Klopp is currently in Merseyside to celebrate Liverpool's 20th Premier League win and will be present at Anfield on Sunday when Virgil van Dijk is handed the trophy.