Jurgen Klopp Next England Manager Odds: Could The FA tempt Liverpool icon?

Surely this is the stuff of fantasy. England are on the hunt for a new manager after Gareth Southgate’s exit, and there have been a whole load of contenders thrown into the ring. Whether the England manager should be English is a debate that has raged on for several decades now, and once again it has reared its head with the likes of Jurgen Klopp now available, having left Liverpool.

As part of this detailed series, we have taken a look at Klopp’s chances of becoming England manager, and the pros and cons behind him doing so. 

It can’t happen… can it? The task for the FA right now is very simple. Appoint the best manager, who has a front-footed philosophy that can win England a trophy as they head into the next couple of tournaments. 

The lure of the big names is strong, with Klopp and Pep Guardiola two of the top five managers anywhere in the world right now. And most importantly, Klopp is available having left Liverpool in May. The German boss made Merseyside his home, and he was hugely popular during his time there. 

The rock and roll football he implemented when he came in was tweaked slightly throughout his tenure, but high-energy pressing was always a feature of his game. England fans would absolutely love to see this squad under his reign, but there’s so many hurdles that stand in the way of it becoming a reality. 

Next England Manager Odds

First of all, is Klopp himself. He left Liverpool because he was desperate for a break and tired after nine years at the helm. He had constantly been in club football since 2001, and this is the first major break of his career, at 57 years of age. It’s a break he desperately needs, with family at the top of his priority list. 

Although international football doesn’t offer the same day-to-day strains as club management, the England manager is one of the most pressurised and scrutinised roles in the sport. Can Klopp really be bothered to return to the game so quickly, for a role like this? I just can’t see it. 

You’ve also got to consider his relationship with the press. Southgate was the master puppeteer of the media, and unlike any other England gaffer we have seen, they danced to his tune. It was arguably his best quality, while the positive atmosphere he generated around the camp certainly benefited his players. 

Klopp is frosty with journalists at the best of times. He has little time for silly questions, and is unlikely to enjoy all of the nonsense that comes with being England manager. At least he wouldn’t have any 12:30 kick-offs to moan about though.

The benefits of him taking the job are clear however. The Liverpool players involved in the squad, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, would love to work with him, and he would instantly have the respect of stars such as Jude Bellingham. What Klopp doesn’t know about football management quite frankly isn’t worth knowing, and there is no doubt that he would be a massive upgrade on Southgate from a tactical perspective.

I don’t think him being German is a barrier in any way, even though an English manager would be preferred. Clearly Klopp is a level above any English candidate right now, while I think the Germany/England rivalry is not as deep-rooted as it once was, and Klopp himself has enjoyed living in this country for several years. 

His links with Liverpool could provide another mini-hurdle to clear though, as the ‘Scouse not English’ brigade certainly wouldn’t be happy to see him in charge of the national side. Either way, I still can’t see Klopp being tempted by this job. He could earn far more in his next club role, in a far less stressful situation than this one – and he may only fancy taking charge of Germany at an international level. 

Lee Carsley Next England Manager Odds

The one issue the FA may have is tempering expectations on their next appointment. Fans are going to get excited that the likes of Guardiola and Klopp are both contenders for the role, when in reality they are far more likely to get Lee Carsley or Graham Potter. Decent managers, but not as sexy as two of the finest the Premier League has ever seen. 

Klopp is unlikely to take on this challenge given the timing, but I wouldn’t rule it out in the future. I’m not sure which club suits him next, but revisiting Klopp as an England manager in a few years time may not be the worst idea. 

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