Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has implored the FA to move swiftly to make Jurgen Klopp the somewhat-resistible opportunity to become the next England manager.
The Reds boss announced on Friday morning that he will be leaving the club this summer, citing a desire to avoid becoming completely burnt out after almost nine years in the job.
That has prompted plenty of unsolicited advice and speculation about where Klopp might end up next, with the vacancy Julian Nagelsmann will leave in the German national team following Euro 2024 already inevitably put forward as a possibility.
Unusually for a former right winger, Pennant has thrown in a more left-field option for Klopp: take over from Gareth Southgate instead.
Pennant told betting site Lord Ping, "Klopp knows England, he knows the players and the style. I think England would be crazy to not try and tap him up, he knows all the best youngsters and he knows how to get the best out of them. His teams have played against them all. He knows more than anyone about them and how they play.
"He knows the English game well and he has an attacking style, his teams are always on the front foot. So as an England fan I think they would be crazy not to throw the kitchen sink at him. With the talent we have got, maybe we could win the World Cup in 2026.
"Any manager would be tempted with a strong team at a World Cup, especially when England have the players to win a World Cup.
"If they come knocking and the deal is right, he’s not putting too much on his body, so I think it would make sense for Klopp. There will definitely be a bidding war but England will be stupid to miss this boat."
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