Klopp's Liverpool exit plan, secret contract clause and stance on Germany job

22 June 2023 , 11:14

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The German press is pleading with Jurgen Klopp to take the national team job (Image: Getty Images)

Following Germany's 2-0 defeat to Colombia on Tuesday, German newspaper Bild sent out a plea to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ahead of next year's Euros.

Since embarrassingly crashing out of the World Cup in the Group Stages, Germany have won just one of their last five games. As a result, Hansi Flick is under huge pressure to turn their fortunes around with Germany set to host next year's Euros.

And Bild have called on the German Football Association (DFB) to do all they can to convince Klopp to replace Flick ahead of the Euros. The Liverpool boss has previously admitted he is interested in managing Germany one day.

Klopp's interest in Germany job

He was linked with the role back in 2021 after Joachim Low announced he would step down after the Euros. However, Klopp insisted at the time he remained fully committed to seeing out his contract at Liverpool.

"Maybe you should ask the question differently if that's the question you want to ask: if I'm available for the job of the coach for the German national team in the summer? No," he said. "After the summer, no.

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"Yes, I was asked. I didn't mention it because Joachim Low had said he would step down. I didn't say it proactively, I just said what I would say when they mention names like mine. I said 'no' this, or after this summer or whenever it will be, I will not be available as a potential coach of the German team."

Klopp signed a contract extension last year (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Klopp later clarified in an interview with Bild that same year that he is interested in managing Germany one day, but that the 'timing was not right' for him to be Low's successor. "The important thing is, I didn't say that I didn't want to become a national coach, but that I cannot," he explained.

"That's a huge difference. There is a very clear commitment. I have an important role here at Liverpool. There is no way to say, 'oh, national coach, that would be an interesting job. That would be a great honour without question, but the timing is not right. I can't."

Plans on leaving Liverpool

Klopp is under contract with Liverpool until 2026, having signed a two-year extension last year, and has been open about his desire to return home to Germany once his time at Anfield comes to an end.

"Definitely to live, after my career," he told SWR Sport in 2020. "Most likely even to Mainz." He went on to explain that he plans to "do nothing for a year" when he is back in Germany before contemplating a return to management.

Germany have been urged to appoint Klopp as Flick's replacement, but he seems keen to see out his contract at Liverpool (Getty Images)

Contract clause

As a result of Klopp's desire to return home to Germany when he leaves Liverpool, there is an exit clause in his contract that means the club will help him when that day comes.

The clause was included when he signed an extension in 2022 and means his move to Germany will be overseen by Liverpool. Essentially, the club will help facilitate Klopp and his family moving back home, something clubs typically only do when players or managers first join rather than when they leave.

Immediate future

However, Klopp does not appear to have any desire to leave Liverpool before his current deal expires in 2026. The 56-year-old already has his sights firmly set on next season as Liverpool look to bounce back from a disappointing campaign that saw them finish fifth and fail to qualify for the Champions League.

"Next season is already on my mind," Klopp said back in April. "We have to build on what we learn now. What we learned this season, a lot, is how it doesn't work out. From a counter-pressing monster to pretty much a non-existent counter-pressing side. I thought that was far away to be honest but it was pretty quick.

Klopp has already begun a rebuild this summer, signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton for £45m (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"It was pretty much done. When it's gone, it is for different reasons. Frontline defending was not great, midfield was not there. Very often in the last few years the discussion has been about our last line being too high, too risky.

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"It has developed a little bit into that over the years. Now when we haven't defended that well up front any more, all of a sudden the last line was too high but we realise that too late.

"So how do we stop that if we don't defend up front too well? Now we know how it doesn't work, which is good. It is important information. Finally we know."

And Klopp's rebuild has already begun, with Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all departing and Alexis Mac Allister making a £45m switch from Brighton.

Matthew Cooper