Klopp expresses interest as DFB coach: "I might've agreed to the offer"
Talking 'Bout Klopp: The Man Who Turned Down the German National Team
ya boy Jürgen Klopp could've been the boy wonder leading Germany's football squad at the home Euro, but he chose to stay hustling with struggling FC Liverpool instead. In an exclusive interview with "Die Welt am Sonntag", the renowned coach shed some light on his decision back in 2023.
"The season before wasn't peaches and cream for Liverpool - and in the summer after that season, Germany was on the hunt for a new national team coach," Klopp shared. With the opportunity to take the helm, Klopp added, "Yeah, I could've said 'hey, why not?' But I didn't wanna."
He went on to explain, "It ain't just about the national coach gig. I couldn't bail on Liverpool like that. For me, it's all about the team and the people I cared about." Klopp wanted to straighten things out with the new players and the core team in Liverpool, stating, "That was important. We got it done. But however, the decision to stick with Liverpool grew."
By the end of January 2024, Klopp dropped the bomb announcing he'd be calling it quits from the club, with the team finishing in third place and winning the League Cup. The season after his departure, Liverpool claimed the league title with the new coach Arne Slot, while Germany, under Julian Nagelsmann, fell short against Spain in the Euro quarter-finals.
Fast forward to January 2025, Klopp landed a spin at theRed Bull reign with a sweet gig as Global Head of Soccer - overseeing a portfolio of clubs like RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, and Bragantino in Brazil. When asked about a potential return to coaching, he wasn't too keen, sharing, "My gut feeling? Nah, buddy. I loved the grind, but I don't have the hankering to coach no more."
With whispers of big-time managerial jobs like Real Madrid circling, Klopp's agent confirmed that he was comfy as a clam in this executive position and not after popping up as a coach anytime soon. His contract with Red Bull even includes a sneaky clause for a return to coaching, but as of now, Klopp's whippin' and'_flickin' executive duties instead. Some folks might've taken issue with Klopp's move, given his previous criticisms of certain football models by Red Bull, but hey, each to their own. What do we know? 😎
Jürgen Klopp turned down the opportunity to coach the German national team during the European Championships in 2023, choosing to continue his work with struggling FC Liverpool instead. In an interview, he explained that his decision was influenced by his commitment to the team and the people at Liverpool, as he felt it was important to straighten things out with the new players and the core team. Despite garnering offers to coach various clubs after leaving Liverpool, Klopp has instead taken up the role of Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull, overseeing a portfolio of clubs that includes RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, and Bragantino in Brazil.
