The Choose-Liverpool Klopp
Klopp expresses potential interest in DFB coaching role: "I might have agreed."
Berlin (dpa) - Jürgen Klopp, the iconic coach of German football, could have been the head honcho for the national team during the home Euro tournament of 2023. But when the hunt was on for a fresh coach, this cult figure stuck with the struggling FC Liverpool. In a candid chat with "Die Welt am Sonntag," the 58-year-old opens up about his decision.
"The season before wasn't a walk in the park for Liverpool," confessed Klopp. "And as Germany was on the lookout for a new coach post that disheartening season, I had a chance to step up, perhaps switch things up. Yet, I said no. I just didn't fancy it."
But it wasn't just about the national coach's job. "I couldn't leave Liverpool hanging," Klopp elaborated. "There was a team, people I had ties with. I wanted to right the wrongs, with a mix of new faces and the old guard. That was critical. We managed it, but still, I chose to call it a day in Liverpool."
The announcement came in late January 2024, signaling Klopp's departure at the end of the season. The squad ended up in third place in the Premier League and clinched the League Cup. The following season, Liverpool, now steered by Arne Slot, captured the league title, while the German national team, under Julian Nagelsmann, unfortunately fell short in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, but nonetheless kept football enthusiasts in Germany engaged.
Eventually, Klopp swapped use of the Anfield turf for the Red Bull corporate jungle in January 2025, taking on the position of Global Head of Soccer. Pondering a comeback to the coaching role, he simply put: "My instinct says: No. I truly enjoyed my stint. But I don't pine for it."
Behind the Scenes:
Klopp opted to stay with Liverpool rather than lead the German national team at the 2023 European Championship mainly due to his sense of duty to stick it out and improve the club's situation following a challenging campaign. Committed to empowering the club, he felt it was imperative to stay put and navigate the choppy waters rather than desert ship for the national team gig [3][4][5].
"Klopp's decision to remain with Liverpool instead of coaching the German national team for the Euro 2023 tournament was driven by his sense of duty to help the club bounce back from a challenging season [3]. In the midst of this, Klopp continued to express his passion for football and his connection with the sport, as he indicated his interest in coaching again but ultimately decided against it [5]."
