Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League return: Separating fact and fiction amid Liverpool speculation
Jurgen Klopp has been frequently linked with a return to Liverpool in recent months amid the collapse of Arne Slot’s squad.
The Dutchman led his team to the Premier League title in his first year at Anfield following his legendary predecessor’s exit, but this season has been disastrous.
The Reds spent hundreds of millions of pounds on a multitude of big-name players, but now find themselves in a scrap for the top four.
In a season consisting of poor form and high-profile fall-outs, Liverpool fans have become hugely frustrated with Slot.
The Dutchman can be stubborn, and there is a feeling that if his team does not qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season, he will be dismissed.
What has Jurgen Klopp been doing since leaving Liverpool?
It was just a normal day in January when Liverpool and Klopp dropped a statement that shocked the footballing world.
The German explained that he was running out of energy and that he had decided to step down at the end of the season, after nearly nine years in charge.
The first question on the lips of many clubs across Europe was whether the 58-year-old would manage elsewhere in the near future, and the answer to that question was no.
Almost a year later, Klopp was appointed as Red Bull‘s head of global soccer, tasked with overseeing operations at each of the organisation’s football clubs, including RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.
But the German confirmed that he would not, under any circumstances, become the manager of any of the teams.
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What jobs has Klopp been linked to since leaving Liverpool?
Much of Europe would be interested in appointing Klopp if he made himself available this summer.
The German has been repeatedly linked with the Real Madrid job, which is currently in the hands of Alvaro Arbeloa after Xabi Alonso was sacked.
There have been rumours on the international stage, too, that the 58-year-old could take over the reins for Germany.
Unsurprisingly, however, many of the links to Klopp have come from the Premier League.
Liverpool, of course, but also Man United, who sacked Ruben Amorim in January. Chelsea, too, were without a manager when they parted ways with Enzo Maresca, and undoubtedly would have liked to appoint Klopp.
Links to Man City could also come in the summer, should Pep Guardiola announce his Premier League exit, as is rumoured.
Will Klopp complete his return?
Unfortunately for Liverpool fans, the reality is that Klopp has shown no indication of a willingness to return to management anytime soon.
The German has said that if he were to return to the Premier League, then it would only be to Anfield, but that he is in no rush.
Speaking to the Diary of a CEO podcast in October, Klopp said: “I said I will never coach a different team in England. So that means if [Klopp returns] it’s Liverpool.
“So yeah, theoretically it’s possible. I love what I do right now; I don’t miss coaching. I don’t. I mean, I do coach, just different, not players. And I don’t miss it.
“I don’t miss standing in the rain two-and-a-half, three hours. I don’t miss going to press conferences three times a week, having 10-12 interviews a week. I don’t miss that.”