JURGEN KLOPP’S next job could see him head into international management or take over a European giant.
The Liverpool manager will leave Anfield at the end of this season after eight-and-a-half years in charge.
Whilst Xabi Alonso has been tipped as an early favourite to succeed Klopp, the German’s next steps are less clear.
However, he has been steadfast in his refusal to manage another club in England while stating he will be taking at least a year away from the dugout.
He explained: “No club, no country for the next year. No other English club ever.
“Even if I have nothing to eat, it will not happen.”
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Where could Klopp’s next managerial role be, though?
Here, SunSport looks at five potential destinations for the Reds boss.
England
Gareth Southgate’s England contract is currently set to expire at the end of the year, with the Euros being his fourth major tournament.
Replacing Southgate in the Three Lions dugout would allow Klopp to remain in England without having to face Liverpool.
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Current under-21s boss Lee Carsley could succeed Southgate instead, though, after rejecting the chance to become Republic of Ireland boss.
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Germany
Sticking with international management, Klopp could finally take charge of his native Germany.
The German FA were desperate to appoint him after sacking Hansi Flick in September before handing Julian Nagelsmann a short-term deal until the end of the Euros.
Like the England job, it would allow Klopp – who has admitted his energy levels are not as high as he thought they would be – to get away from the intensity of day-to-day club management.
Xabi Alonso is perfect man for the job
By Dan King
XABI ALONSO ticks almost every box to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, and if Bayer Leverkusen don’t let their lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip the case for him to do so will be irresistible.
The former Kop idol knows the club inside out after five seasons at Anfield and has made no secret of his enduring affection.
Alonso has already forged a reputation as an innovative coach playing an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
He has taken Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to seven-points clear at the top, putting them on course to be crowned German champions for the first time in their 120-year history.
It’s worth remembering that both Rafa Benitez and Klopp arrived at Anfield with proof they could dethrone clubs who dominated their leagues.
For Alonso to do the same, in only his second season as a top-flight manager, would mark him out as something special.
It is that lack of long-term experience that would still make appointing him to replace Klopp a gamble.
But otherwise, he looks like the perfect candidate as Liverpool are forced to plan a future without the man who made them champions of England, Europe and the world.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s managerial situation has cleared up after Carlo Ancelotti signed a new deal in December.
He had been strongly linked with the Brazil job before penning an extension through to 2026.
With Los Blancos currently sitting behind surprise La Liga leaders Girona, though, his position is far from secure.
Failure to win the league or Champions League this term could see the club’s attention switch to an out of work Klopp in the summer.
Barcelona
Bitter rivals Barcelona could be in a similar situation, with club legend Xavi under mounting pressure.
Despite winning the league last term, he has hinted he will leave the club if Barca fail to win a trophy this season.
The Blaugrana are already eight points adrift in third place and have reportedly lined up Klopp as a potential candidate to replace Xavi.
Borussia Dortmund
Prior to becoming Liverpool boss in 2015, Klopp spent seven years at the helm of Borussia Dortmund.
During that time, he won back-to-back league titles and reached the final of the Champions League.
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Dortmund are now managed by former West Ham assistant Edin Terzic.
BVB are currently fifth in the table, though, after dramatically missing out on the title last season and trail leaders Bayer Leverkusen by 15 points.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
