Jurgen Klopp has been enjoying a summer out of football (Picture: GettyImages)
Jurgen Klopp held ‘multiple meetings’ with US Soccer chiefs as they searched for a new manager this summer, ultimately hiring Mauricio Pochettino for the role.
Klopp stepped down as Liverpool manager at the end of last season, saying he needed to take a break from football in a shock announcement in January.
The German said he would likely need at least a year out of management to recharge his batteries and even suggested that he could never manage again.
However, it seems that he at least wanted to hear what the Americans had to say as they looked for a new boss of the USMNT.
The Athletic report that ‘multiple meetings’ were held with Klopp, but ultimately he chose to stick to his decision to stay out of the game for now.
US Soccer were certainly aiming high as they looked for a permanent replacement for Gregg Berhalter, with Pep Guardiola, Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter and Thomas Frank also on their shortlist.
They did end up landing a big fish in Pochettino, with the former Chelsea, PSG and Tottenham manager confirmed as their new head coach on Tuesday.
Mauricio Pochettino as the new USA manager prior to a friendly with New Zealand on Tuesday (Picture: Getty Images)
Speaking about his appointment, the Argentine said: ‘The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on.
‘The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men’s National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn’t pass up.
‘I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.’
As for Klopp, his next move remains unclear, but it will not be a return to the Premier League.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website back in January, he said: ‘If you ask me, “Will you ever work as a manager again?” I would say now no.
Klopp signed off as Liverpool boss in May (Picture: Getty Images)
‘But I don’t know obviously how that will feel because I never had the situation. What I know definitely is I will never, ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool, 100 per cent. That’s not possible.
‘My love for this club, my respect for the people is too big. I couldn’t. I couldn’t for a second think about it. There’s no chance.
‘This is part of my life, we are part of the family, we feel home here. There’s no chance to do that.
‘But all the rest, will I ever work again? Of course, I know myself, I cannot just sit around. I will find something else maybe to do.
‘But I will not manage a club or a country at least for a year, that’s not possible, I cannot do that and I don’t want to. That’s all.’
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