Klopp to take sabbatical, rules out ever managing another English club

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp plans to take a break from football for a year once his time in charge at Anfield finishes at the end of the season.

Klopp said he lacked the energy to go on as he made a shock announcement on Friday that he will step down in May.

The 56-year-old German has previously been linked with the German national team.

But Klopp, who has won the Champions League and Premier League among seven trophies since taking over at Liverpool in 2015, said his immediate plan was for a break and that he would never manage another English club.

"Whatever will happen in the future I don't know now but no club, no country for the next year. No other English club ever, I can promise that," said Klopp at a press conference.

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The former Borussia Dortmund coach could go out on a high with Liverpool five points clear at the top of the Premier League and in the running for three other trophies.

Thanks to a series of summer signings, the Reds have bounced back to form this season after a turbulent 2022/23 campaign and Klopp said he was leaving with a squad in place that would succeed even without him.

"It's too important to do it with 50 percent, it is just too important and this team is set up for the future," he added on his reasoning for stepping down.

"When I said Liverpool 2.0 that didn't include me obviously for the next 10 years, but the team is there, the basis is there.

"Whoever comes in, you cannot ever guarantee to win trophies, but has a really good chance to play really good football."