Five next jobs for Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool departure, including a job in England
JURGEN KLOPP's next job could take him into international management or taking over a European giant.
The Liverpool manager will leave Anfield at the end of this season after eight and a half years in charge.
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Although Xabi Alonso has been tipped as an early favorite to succeed Klopp, the German's next steps are less clear.
However, he has remained steadfast in his refusal to manage another club in England, declaring he will step away from the dugout for at least a year.
He explained: “No club, no country for next year. No other English club ever has.
“Even if I don't have anything to eat, it won't happen.”
But where could Klopp's next managerial role lie?
Here, SunSport looks at five potential destinations for the Reds boss.
England
Gareth Southgate's England contract currently expires at the end of the year, with the European Championship being his fourth major tournament.
Replacing Southgate in the Three Lions dugout would allow Klopp to remain in England without having to face Liverpool.
Current Under-21 boss Lee Carsley could replace Southgate instead after turning down the chance to become Republic of Ireland boss.
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Germany
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By sticking with international management, Klopp was finally able to take charge of his native Germany.
The German Football Association was desperate to appoint him after sacking Hansi Flick in September, before Julian Nagelsmann was offered a short-term contract until the end of the European Championship.
As with the England job, it would allow Klopp – who has admitted his energy levels are not as high as he thought they would be – to disconnect from the intensity of day-to-day club management.
Xabi Alonso is the perfect man for the job
By Dan King
XABI ALONSO ticks almost all the boxes to succeed Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool manager and if Bayer Leverkusen doesn't let his lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip, the case will be irresistible for him.
The former Kop idol knows the club inside and out after five seasons at Anfield and has made no secret of his enduring affection.
Alonso has already built a reputation as an innovative coach who plays an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
He has taken Leverkusen from second place in 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 that they could dethrone clubs that dominated their leagues.
If Alonso were to do the same, in his second season as top manager, he would be labeled as something special.
It's that lack of long-term experience that still makes appointing him as Klopp's replacement a gamble.
But otherwise he seems 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 contract in December.
He was strongly linked with the Brazil job before lining up an extension until 2026.
However, with Los Blancos currently behind surprise La Liga leaders Girona, his position is far from secure.
If they fail to win the league or the Champions League this season, the club's attention could shift to the unemployed Klopp in the summer.
Barcelona
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Bitter rivals Barcelona could find themselves in a similar situation with club legend Xavi under increasing pressure.
Despite winning the league last season, he has hinted he will leave the club if Barcelona fail to win a trophy this season.
The Blaugrana are already eight points behind in third place and have reportedly lined up Klopp as a potential candidate to replace Xavi.
Borussia Dortmund
Before becoming Liverpool boss in 2015, Klopp spent seven years at the helm of Borussia Dortmund.
During that time he won consecutive league titles and reached the final of the Champions League.
Dortmund is now managed by former West Ham assistant Edin Terzic.
However, BVB are currently in fifth place, having dramatically missed out on the title last season, leaving Bayer Leverkusen top by 15 points.
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