Jurgen Klopp is not on the verge of becoming Liverpool's new manager and is no hurry to return to management any time soon, according to our sources in Germany.
According to reports on Thursday, the former Borussia Dortmund coach was apparently willing to end his self-enforced sabbatical from the game to take over an English club, but has apparently told Sky Sports he has not yet heard from Liverpool.
The Daily Express and Daily Star claim this morning that Klopp is keen to move to the Premier League after apparently rejecting the chance to manage Liverpool whenBrendan Rodgers was appointed in 2012, but their quotes from the Bundesliga-winning coach stretch back to early July
Former Real Madrid, Milan and Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti remains the 2/1 favourite to succeed Rodgers, who is under severe pressure with his side on a four-game winless run in the Premier League.
Carlo Ancelotti - Reuters
Ajax coach Frank De Boer is another coach strongly touted to succeed Northern Irishman Rodgers, who last season led Liverpool to a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
They scraped past Carlisle United of League Two on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Wednesday's League Cup third-round tie at Anfield and face a crucial match against Aston Villa at home on Saturday with league leaders Manchester City seven points clear in the standings.
Our reporter in Germany says such speculation linking Klopp with the prospect of replacing Rodgers as Liverpool manager remains "thin" and adds he is just as likely to move elsewhere in the world than the Premier League if the right position becomes available.
Klopp has already rejected the chance to replace Lucien Favre as Borussia Monchengladbach coach.
"There is nothing new regarding Klopp," says Andreas Schulz, Eurosport's deputy chief editor in Germany.
"Klopp quickly made it known that he wasn't interested in taking over at Mönchengladbach when Favre left. Liverpool apparently is not on his list (anymore).
"The reports are very thin. Of course, Klopp would not rule out working in England – but same applies for other countries as well.
"Klopp would prefer to work in an environment where he could use his skills as a strong communicator, so that hints to Germany or England. Maybe he’s secretly working on his Spanish, just as Pep Guardiola did with his German before he moved to Bayern Munich. "
Frank de Boer - Reuters
"Klopp is not in a hurry - that’s the only thing that is sure. And he is no rush to return to football management at the moment."
Klopp ended a glorious seven-year spell running Dortmund at the end of last season, and is taking a year-long break from the game.
Klopp is unlikely to be short of job offers if and when he returns to football. He boasts an impressive CV having led Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles and a first league and cup double in 2012.
They reached the Champions League final in 2013, but lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich with Arjen Robben scoring in the last minute to deny the club a second European Cup success to go with their 1997 win over Juventus.
Klopp's side recovered from some poor form to finish seventh last season while they also reached the German Cup final losing 3-1 to Wolfsburg.
RUNNERS AND RIDERS TO BECOME NEW LIVERPOOL MANAGER
Carlo Ancelotti 2/1
Jurgen Klopp 6/4
Frank De Boer 10/1
Gary Monk 16/1
Andre Villas-Boas 25/1
Luciano Spalletti 25/1
OTHERS
Steve McClaren 100/1
Alan Hansen 200/1
Jamie Redknapp 250/1
Sir Alex Ferguson 500/1
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