With pressure mounting on Arne Slot, Jurgen Klopp is being linked with a return to Liverpool. Here are five reasons why the German will opt AGAINST doing so.
Things are going from bad to worse for Arne Slot at Liverpool.
The Reds suffered elimination from the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening after losing 3-0 to Crystal Palace at Anfield, meaning they have now lost six of their last seven in all competitions.
This includes defeats in each of their last four Premier League outings.
It’s a return that has seen them drop to seventh place in the English top-flight table, having previously enjoyed a four-week spell at the summit. They are now seven points adrift of Arsenal.
In turn, this has seen Slot be backed in the Premier League sack race betting odds market.
Although there are currently no indications that the Reds are looking to part ways with the Dutchman, who won the league in his debut campaign last term, pressure is starting to mount.
Amid speculation over Slot’s future, one man who has been linked with a return to Anfield is Jurgen Klopp. The German is currently favoured in the next Liverpool manager odds market.
However, there are several reasons why the 58-year-old may opt against an emotional return.
Five Reasons Jurgen Klopp Won’t Make Liverpool Return
Tied Down To Five Year Red Bull Contract
Upon departing Liverpool and retiring from football management at the end of the 2023-24 season, Klopp signed a long-term deal with Red Bull to become their new head of global soccer.
In this role, he is responsible for the strategic management of several Red Bull clubs.
These include Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, Austrian Bundesliga outfit Red Bull Salzburg, MLS side New York Red Bulls, two clubs in Brazil and second-tier Japanese side RB Omiya Ardija.
Reports suggest that his contract, which is reportedly worth €12m a year, runs until 2030.
This rules him out of a coaching job for the next few years unless Liverpool are willing to pay to get the German out of his contract, a scenario that seems highly unlikely given they spent a staggering £450m on new personnel over the summer.
Klopp In No Rush To Make Management Return
Klopp stated that he was ‘done’ as a coach when publicly announcing his retirement, a position he has since reiterated after admitting he was ‘running out of energy’ from being a manager.
Despite this, he has refused to completely rule out a return to Anfield.
He is seemingly in no rush to do so, however, as he is enjoying his current role with Red Bull.
In an interview with Steven Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast, he said: “I said I will never coach a team in England again, that means if it’s Liverpool, theoretically it’s possible.
“I don’t know exactly, I love what I do right now. I don’t miss coaching.
“I don’t miss standing in the rain, two-and-a-half [to] three hours; I don’t miss going to press conferences three times a week, and having 12 interviews a week. I don’t miss that; I don’t.
“There might be something, I’m 58, I could make the decision in a few years… I don’t know. Do I have to make the decision today that I will not coach again but thank god I don’t have to, I can just see what the future brings.”
Links With German National Team Job
Several reports have claimed that if Klopp were to return to football management, it would be with the German national team. He has been consistently linked with the role for several years.
There had been reports of a special exit clause in his Red Bull contract that would allow him to leave if the Germany hot seat became free, however these rumours have since been quashed.
Regardless, it is no secret that the DFB are keen on the ex-Liverpool man.
The association’s director, Rudi Voller, previously stated: “If Julian Nagelsmann [current Germany manager] were to decide at some point that he would rather coach a top club again – then of course there is no way around Jürgen Klopp. If he wants to”
For now though, this seems unlikely, with Nagelsmann penning a new contract in January. The former Bayern Munich boss’ new deal takes him through to the 2028 European Championship.
Romantic Returns Have A History Of Souring Legacies
Another consideration for Klopp may be that he doesn’t want to tarnish his legacy in Merseyside.
At Anfield, he is remembered as a legend and one of the greatest managers in the club’s long, glittering history. Should he return and it doesn’t go to plan, it could leave a sour taste.
Previous examples of this include Jose Mourinho’s return to Chelsea.
The ‘Special One’ enjoyed an incredible spell at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2007, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups and a Community Shield.
Returning in 2013, he secured a league and League Cup double in 2014-15.
A fresh four-year contract followed, but just four months after penning the new deal, the Portuguese was sacked by the Blues after losing nine of 16 league matches during 2015-16.
Although he is remembered fondly by many, and perhaps the majority, of the West London club’s supporters, the nature of his exit undoubtedly left a blemish on his glittering CV.
A more recent example of this is Brendan Rodgers’ return to Scottish Premiership giants Celtic.
Following a successful first spell at the club, the Northern Irishman returned in 2023, and similarly to Mourinho, he won a league and Scottish Cup double in his first season back in Glasgow.
Another double-winning campaign followed in 2024-25, however things quickly turned sour.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League and sitting eight points adrift of league leaders Hearts, the Hoops announced that they had decided to part ways with Rodgers.
Kieran McKenna is the current favourite to take over in the next Celtic manager odds market.
Klopp would be keen to avoid a similar scenario playing out with Liverpool, therefore he may opt against returning altogether in order to maintain his legendary status among supporters.
Liverpool Aren’t Ready To Part Ways With Arne Slot
Finally, and perhaps the main reason as to why Klopp won’t be making his return to Anfield anytime soon, there are currently no indications that the Reds are ready to part ways with Slot.
Pressure is starting to mount, undoubtedly, but after backing the Dutchman in the market over the summer, club chiefs clearly see him as the man to take the club forward long term.
He won the Premier League title in his first season in England, while also finishing second in the EFL Cup, so even if their poor run continues, he will likely be afforded time to turn it around.
Additionally, BBC Sport report that there is ‘no chance’ of Slot being sacked.
His contract with the 20-time English champions runs until the summer of 2027, and prior to their recent run, reports suggested that the club were in talks over extending his current deal.
If he is able to turn things around, it looks likely that his stay at Anfield will be extended.
