- Padel and grandson: Klopp doesn't need England job
At the end of his pointed speech, Jürgen Klopp also took a swipe at FC Bayern. When the private individual in shorts and an unbuttoned shirt had long ruled out a possible job as England's national coach, he jokingly called for his lawyer when asked about a possible engagement with the German record champions in typical Kloppo fashion.
"I've already trained the best clubs in the world. Just saying that doesn't make it likely that I'll get another Bayern offer," said the 57-year-old to laughter from the around 1000 listeners at the International Trainers' Congress in Würzburg. He laughed loudly along with them.
The grinning Klopp fit perfectly into the picture of a completely relaxed man who, after nearly nine years at the big FC Liverpool, doesn't need a new coaching job right now. For the time after the break, which is currently fixed for a year, he announced: "I'll do something. I'm too young to just play Padel tennis and be with grandchildren. Whether that will be as a coach? I would actually rule that out at the moment."
Because life without a training pitch and scheduling commitments feels good and liberating to Klopp. "I do quite a bit of sport. I take care of my family and grandchildren a lot. The biggest difference is: now I'm here 100 percent. If I had a job, I would react restlessly to the buzzing of my phone - because the team doctor would probably be calling," said Klopp.
Klopp as a star among coaches
The break is just starting for Klopp. "I haven't even really started making vacation yet," the coach revealed. In the lively Q&A session over 60 minutes, Klopp lined up jokes one after the other. As the star coach entered the festive hall, rows of trainers' phones went up for photos and videos at the end of the three-day congress. Klopp hasn't given an interview in three months - so that's likely to continue for now.
From the podium, where Klopp sat with a tanned complexion and crossed legs, the star guest distributed greetings and messages in all directions. The statement made at the beginning, "I don't create headlines on purpose," had a short half-life in the intimate forum of trainers who listened almost reverently and partly very amused.
2026 World Cup planned as a fan
Klopp referred to himself as "record silver medal holder" in Champions League finals and clearly ruled out a possible job as England's national coach. When asked what his agent Marc Kosicke is currently forwarding to him, Klopp replied: "Nothing. Nothing job-related. No club, no country. Some people must not have heard that." And the Three Lions? "That would be the biggest face-loss in the history of football if I said, 'I'll make an exception for you.'"
Yet Klopp already spoke of the 2026 World Cup. But not about how he would drive a team from the sidelines in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Rather, about how he would see himself as a fan of the German team under Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann. "I loved how Julian said that we'll be world champions in two years. I jumped out of my seat and said, 'We'll be world champions in two years, and I'll watch it,'" said Klopp.
Ironical praise for England
For England, the Euro runners-up who are looking for Southgate's successor, he had no such praise. "No comment on England, because the press is here," said Klopp, jokingly referring to the "Daily Mail," which would probably have made the long journey to Franconia.
Ironically, he immediately added about the largely lackluster performances of Harry Kane and co., "They did that really well." After a panel discussion with colleagues like Belgium's national coach Domenico Tedesco and his close friend David Wagner, the much-applauded star guest wanted to head towards the airport. Klopp is on vacation.
Despite his joking refusal to entertain any offer from the German record champions FC Bayern, Klopp expressed enthusiasm for the 2026 World Cup, envisioning himself as a passionate fan supporting the German team led by Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann. Conversely, when asked about potential coaching vacancies, particularly England's, Klopp was more reserved, joking about avoiding any negative headlines with the British press.
