The Football Association has been urged to convince Jurgen Klopp to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager.
The Three Lions boss is widely expected to stand down from his role after Euro 2024, bringing an end to his eight-year tenure.
Whilst all focus is on Saturday’s quarter-final clash with Switzerland, there is inevitably one eye on what follows, with the appointment of a new manager likely to be the FA’s first task.
Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter has been touted as a candidate to succeed Southgate, while other muted names such as Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are currently employed at club level.
However, one name that springs to mind is recently departed Liverpool boss Klopp, who is enjoying some well-deserved down time after leaving Anfield at the end of last season.
The German has been seen engaging in various activities, including a recent Taylor Swift concert and attending Euro 2024 games in his homeland, while he has also been linked with taking over the United States national team.
Klopp has hinted that he could retire from management altogether, a notion German football pundit and ex-Chelsea player Sebastian Kneissl doubled down on during an exclusive chat with talkSPORT.
“I can see Jurgen Klopp never working again as a manager,” he said on Friday’s Euro Gameday Warm Up show.
“He has that much of a self awareness where he thinks about, ‘What can I do? What impact can I make?’
“If he does take another job, I doubt the USA national team job will be one for him. The only option I can see is that he replaces Julian Nagelsmann in charge of the German national team.
“I actually think he could, and it’s a very high compliment for him, represent Germany on a level Franz Beckenbauer did.
“Beckenbauer was the all-time representative for Germany, and I think Klopp can get to that level – help bring World Cups to Germany, represent the country as an ambassador and he doesn’t have to take another manager job.”
On the prospect of Klopp taking over from Southgate in English football’s top job, Kneissl believes the FA should explore the possibility – despite his own belief the 57-year-old is likely to reject their advances.
“The FA have to talk to Jurgen! It’s their responsibility to get the best manager in, so of course they have to knock on Jurgen’s door,” he said.
Before adding with a laugh: “But will he take it? No!
“Even though they know they would probably get a ‘No’, it’s their responsibility, they have to ask.
“I think he would be flattered, obviously, but I don’t think he would do it.”
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News Summary:
- FA told to replace Gareth Southgate with Jurgen Klopp as England manager after Euro 2024
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