Jurgen Klopp teases Liverpool return as he clarifies 'retirement' comment

Jurgen Klopp has hinted at a possible return to Liverpool as he clarified his retirement comment.

Back in January, the football world was shocked to its core after Klopp announced his decision to step down as Liverpool manager when the 23/24 season comes to a close.

Speaking at the time, Klopp said: “If you ask me, ‘Will you ever work as a manager again?’ I would say now no. But I don’t know obviously how that will feel because I never had the situation.”

After Liverpool’s 5-1 win over Sparta Prague on Thursday, Klopp was asked whether any of the opposition players impressed him.

The German replied: “I retire in the summer. You want me to take him on holiday?”

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s mouth-watering Premier League clash against Manchester City, Klopp clarified his retirement comments.

He said to Sky Sports: “So I think some other people used that word [retirement] when I had my announcement and I thought that’s the right way to say it… I just step aside here, so that’s the idea. I don’t know what is happening after.”

Klopp then teased a potential return to Liverpool as a spectator when asked if he would miss the feeling of being involved.

He added: “I have no idea [how I will feel], we will see!

“I didn’t have it for a long time as I was very often involved in these kinds of games so maybe I'll be in the stadium and watch it from the stands which would be cool. But I don’t know.”

🗣️ "I just step aside here, that's the idea"

Jurgen Klopp says he won't be retiring from football management when he leaves Liverpool at the end of the season 👔🔴 pic.twitter.com/hrgcaQAJHR

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 9, 2024

With the summer approaching, Liverpool will no doubt be working around the clock to find their perfect replacement for Klopp.

So far, the likes of Xabi Alonso, Ruben Amorim, Thomas Frank, Julian Nagelsmann and Ange Postecoglou have all been linked with a move to Anfield.

Aside from looking for a new manager, Liverpool are said to be closing in on finding a new sporting director, with Richard Huges, who recently left Bournemouth, as one of the favourites.

In addition, former sporting director Michael Edwards is said to return to the club in a more senior role.