Legendary former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a stunning return to management and it could put him on a collision course with the Reds.
Klopp left Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 season, stepping away from football's front line and taking a job as the Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull.
Liverpool have ridden out the loss of Klopp in style, coasting to a comfortable Premier League title in their first season under the guidance of Arne Slot.
The former Mainz and Borussia Dortmund manager also won the league with Liverpool, establishing beloved status on Merseyside over the course of nine years in charge.
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His strategic expertise was desirable for Red Bull, the multi-club ownership powerhouse where Klopp oversees the direction of travel for RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and the energy drink giant's other football concerns around the world.
That expertise puts the ex-Liverpool manager on the radar of most major clubs in need of new leadership and the latest suitor could soon make their move, according to reports.
In Portugal, Lisbon titans Benfica are in the midst of a presidential election.
The candidates to succeed incumbent Rui Costa have been setting out their manifestos in an increasingly tense campaign that current head coach Bruno Lage must be watching with some degree of trepidation.
One candidato a presidente is Cristovao Carvalho, whose pledges include a transparent connection with club partners, a constant search for excellence and financial management that creates value, as well as the rather punchier promise to punt Lage out at the end of his contract and bring Klopp to Portugal.
"Bruno Lage won't stay beyond his contract," Carvalho told SIC Noticias.
"I need a coach of the highest level, who has already won the Champions League and who wants to win a Champions League with Benfica.
"There's only one name that comes to mind: Jurgen Klopp. He even said that Benfica is a great club that he would like to coach one day. Someone who says this has something more than others to be at the club."
Could Kop cop Klopp clash?
If Klopp does indeed return to management, the calibre of jobs that will catch his eye make it likely that he will cross paths with Liverpool eventually.
Benfica had to overcome Nice and Fenerbahce in qualifying rounds to get there but they are in the Champions League this season and will expect to be there in 2026-27 too.
They were drawn against both Chelsea and Newcastle United in this season's league phase.
Topics: Football, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool
Chris Nee