Jurgen Klopp has no intention of breaking away from his yearlong sabbatical to replace Gareth Southgate as England coach, The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe reports.
Klopp, who stepped down as Liverpool manager at the end of last season, is reportedly taking the entire 2024-25 season off. The English FA would have to consider hiring an interim manager until next June before making any potential move for the German boss.
However, England would be willing to wait and see if Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City in 2025, according to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney.
Guardiola, who has a contract with City until June 2025, said recently he’s “closer to leaving than staying” at the club. He may also decide to part ways if an independent commission recommends punishing City for any of their 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules. City have repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Southgate resigned as England manager two days after the Three Lions fell 2-1 to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said he wants to confirm Southgate’s successor “as soon as possible.”
Newcastle’s Eddie Howe and free agents Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino are reportedly considered the front-runners for the job.