Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he is already planning for his retirement after claiming that he will not be managing into his 70s.
The German has enjoyed a hugely successful career after taking the reins at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. In that time, he has lifted three league titles, the Champions League and a succession of both domestic and European titles.
Despite that, he has come under pressure this season with Liverpool currently enduring a miserable campaign under his stewardship. Having been a manager for over two decades, Klopp, 55, has suggested that he could not cope with the pressure of the job for another 20-year stint.
Speaking on Mike Calvin’s Football People podcast, the Liverpool boss said: “After 22 years now, I know when I cannot change anything anymore and I know that’s the moment I stop thinking about it. I sleep really well, come home, have half an hour, drive home and that’s the last 30 minutes of the day where I really think about the job.
“The job is incredibly demanding, it is, but it’s great as well. That’s why I say when Roy Hodgson came back again to Crystal Palace and I ask him ‘why go out again?’ and he said ‘I love it’.
“I cannot see myself being 70 and being on the dugout in whatever weather and training for one or two hours. I can’t see that but I understand a little bit where they are coming from. I hope then that other things are that interesting to me and I am really fine with not being involved anymore.”
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With Klopp confirming his intentions to retire from the game within at least the next 15 years, he has also revealed that he already has plans in place once that moment comes - time with his family being among his priorities alongside tuning into a few matches.
He added: “We will be grandparents now next year for the first time in May and we cannot wait but I’m not there for already the whole day with a grandkid on holidays and stuff. Of course, that’s the plan to be exactly there.
“To be with the family and friends in a nice play and watching football because that’s what I will do for the rest of my life, I know that. But not being involved anymore, that’s something I have no problem to do.”
Whilst it remains to be seen when Klopp will actually take a step back from the game in the future, he looks likely to remain with Liverpool until at least the summer of 2026. The German only put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension at Anfield last year.
His previous deal was set to expire in the summer of 2024 with Klopp hinting that he would see out the contract and then move on, before making a U-turn to sign an extension.
