Klopp planning private life after Liverpool exit, coaching return uncertain

Jurgen Klopp is planning to lead a private life after walking away from the Liverpool job, suggesting it is far from certain that he will return to management.

Liverpool beat Wolves 2-0 in Klopp’s 334th and final Premier League game at the helm on Sunday, the German becoming the first permanent Reds boss to win his last match in charge since Matt McQueen in February 1928 (3-2 versus Derby County).

Upon announcing his departure in January, Klopp said he was “running out of energy”, and he has repeatedly suggested a sabbatical is next after nine years in charge at Anfield.

On Sunday, he hinted a return to coaching was not a guarantee, despite rumours suggesting Bayern Munich or the Germany job could be next for him.

Before planning any future career moves, he intends to spend time with wife Ulla Sandrock, saying: “A private life must be planned and I didn’t plan anything yet because I was here.

“Probably Ulla will update me on where we go but I follow happily.

1 – Jürgen Klopp led Liverpool to the club’s highest ever league points tally (99 in 2019-20), best ever league winning run (18 from Oct 2019 – Feb 2020), and most wins and goals in a single season in all competitions (46 wins, 147 goals in 2021-22). Believers. pic.twitter.com/Raj5HF7kGj

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 19, 2024

“I have just finished this job. I don’t know exactly why nobody believes I probably will not be a manager again but I understand because obviously it seems to be a drug, because everybody comes back and everyone works until they are 70-something. I have always had the idea I won’t do that.

“Other people can do it in different ways, I have to be all-in, I have to be the spark, I have to be the energy, I have to be all these kinds of things and I’m empty.

“You only have to look outside which clubs are obviously available. There will be opportunities, but I don’t sit here and think, ‘maybe in a year’s time I’ll take that’.

“But look, it’s not burning behind me and that gives me a good feeling.”