Gary Lineker thinks Jurgen Klopp could be in line for a sensational return to Borussia Dortmund after his exit from Liverpool.
Sunday’s 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers marked the end of the German’s near nine-year reign at Anfield in which he led the Reds to success in the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.
Since publically announcing his decision to step down from his position back in January, the 56-year-old has reiterated his need for a break from the game after a 23-year managerial career spent with Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.
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However, Lineker has revealed he has heard a rumour that the German could soon be returning to Dortmund as club president, nine years after he departed the Signal Iduna Park as manager.
“I will be interested to see what Jurgen Klopp does next. I think he will definitely take some time out because I think he’s genuine when he says he has run out of energy,” said Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast.
“You can see why that job is so demanding. There will be a battle for him in a year’s time. Or they’ll be lining up for a year or so’s time. I heard a little rumour that he might end up being president of Borussia Dortmund, which would be amazing.”
In his post-match press conference on Sunday Klopp said he is unsure if he will ever manage again but admitted he plans to return to work at some point.
“I will work. I have just finished this job. I don’t know exactly why nobody believes I will probably not be a manager again, but I understand because obviously it seems to be a drug,” said Klopp.
“It looks like that as everybody comes back and everybody works until they are 70-something. I have always had the idea I won’t do that. Other people are smarter and do it in different ways, but I have to be all-in. I have to be the spark, I have to be the energiser, I have to be all these kind of things. And I am empty. That’s it.
“My biggest worry today was that (goalkeeping coach) John Achterberg was coughing all the time next to me, and I thought I’d wake up tomorrow and I’ll be ill because he’s coughing in my direction! I have to start with the rest now and then we will see.
“It’s not that I’m looking outside for the next opportunity and which clubs are available and stuff like this. There will be opportunities but I’m not thinking ‘maybe in a year’s time I’ll take that’. In this moment, see you later.
“I have no clue [what I will do tomorrow]. Packing probably. I have enough things to do, private life must be planned as well but I’ve been here doing things and probably (wife) Ulla will update me where we go. I have no clue what’s coming up. We have a party tonight.”