Jurgen Klopp has cast doubt on whether he will take another job after his shock decision to quit Liverpool on Friday, but revealed his intention to never manage a different club in England.
Klopp, who will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, has won seven major trophies during his 8½ years in charge, and his team are in the running to win all four major trophies available to them in this campaign.
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"If you ask me now if I will ever manage again? I would say no." Klopp said. "But you don't know obviously as I've never had this situation. But I do know definitely I will never manage a different club in England than Liverpool. It is impossible.
"I will find something else to do. But I will not manage a club or country for at least a year."
Klopp, 56, replaced Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool manager in 2015 and revitalised a team that had been struggling to compete with the best teams in England.
The German manager won the Champions League in 2019 -- his first trophy with Liverpool -- before delivering the team's first Premier League title in 2020.
Klopp's decision to step down on Friday caught the footballing world by surprise, particularly because the coach had signed a contract extension in 2022 that was due to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel expressed his shock at Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool in a news conference Friday.
"I have to digest that first. ... Kloppo is one of the very best coaches in the world, he has always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. It's big news," Tuchel said.
Klopp experienced the most difficult season of his time in charge of Liverpool last season as they finished fifth in the Premier League and missed out on qualification for the Champions League.
But Liverpool have returned to prominence this season and are top of the Premier League table while remaining in contention to win the Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag said he could understand Klopp's decision to step down.
"Nine years is a long time. I think it's a period by building up, achieving targets but also I think setbacks and going into difficult periods, the Premier League is very intense, the combination with European club football, when you're there nine years it's a long period and I can understand he is running out of energy and that is one of his arguments to step down."
Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, who beat Klopp's Liverpool in the Champions League final in 2022, said he was shocked by the news.
"It's rather surprising but I understand," Ancelotti said. "When you work for a long time with the same team, the same players, your motivation goes down. I think that is what has happened to Klopp at Liverpool.
"He's done and continues to do a fantastic job at Liverpool. Credit to him for being objective, self-critical and leave the club to someone else. I have a lot of respect for him because he is a great manager and I will continue to contribute to football."
Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who is seen as a possible successor to Klopp at Liverpool, also said he understood the German manager's decision and highlighted the relentless improvement needed to be a manager in the modern game.
"I can understand him, I think we have the best [job], but it is very tough. You need energy, and have to push everyday; improve day by day. You can't stop your improvement and studies for a new idea. Football is always in development," De Zerbi told a news conference.
"There is no news [on Liverpool links]. My focus is on the end of this season. We want to focus on our targets."