Jurgen Klopp WON'T sign new Liverpool deal - with successor already lined up: report

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield on October 21, 2023 in Liverpool, England.
(Image credit: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp will not look to sign a new Liverpool contract before his current deal expires, but the Reds have already lined up his replacement. 

The German boss only signed a contract extension in April 2022, keeping him at Anfield until June 2026. While the Reds' resurgence this season has suggested he might look to add more time to his current deal, one report from BILD journalist Christian Falk explains that it's too early for Klopp to even consider fresh terms.

According to Falk, Klopp's "big target" is to manage the German national team after leaving Liverpool, so he therefore doesn't want to commit to a long-term decision should that job become available.

Julian Nagelsmann, Head Coach of RB Leipzig and Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool interact after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between RB Leipzig and Liverpool FC at Puskas Arena on February 16, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. Liverpool face RB Leipzig at a neutral venue in Budapest behind closed doors after Germany imposed a ban on travellers arriving from the UK in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)

Klopp was offered the Germany job, but Nagelsmann was ultimately appointed (Image credit: Getty Images)

While he did reject the opportunity to become the Germany boss in September, with Julian Nagelsmann later appointed, Klopp reportedly won't rush any future decision. Instead, it is suggested that he will wait for as long as possible until planning his next career move. 

“I don’t think Liverpool have pressured him on this," Falk said. "It was surprising for everyone that Jurgen signed his last contract so early, so I don’t think this will be discussed until he’s closer to the end of his current terms.

“You see what is happening in Germany with the national team… I think this is a big target for his future, so that’s why he won’t sign a new contract so early.”

Liverpool old boy Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Bayer Leverkusen, applauds the fans following the team's victory during UEFA Europa League 2023/24 group stage match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and BK Häcken at BayArena on September 21, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany.

Alonso has been flying with Bayer Leverkusen (Image credit: Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)

When Klopp does decide to leave Liverpool, though, the club already have a plan in mind over who his successor should be. Fabrizio Romano argues their priority would be Xabi Alonso, if he is still available in a few years time considering the hugely impressive job he is doing at Bayer Leverkusen.

There's also a "gentleman's agreement" in place between Alonso and Leverkusen, should one of Europe's elite sides approach the Spaniard with a job offer. Part of the agreement, though, is that Leverkusen will demand a premium fee to let Alonso leave if still under contract. 

More Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool stories 

With the January transfer window approaching, Liverpool have reportedly cooled their interest in one attacking target.

It comes amid talk of the Reds chasing 'the next Ashley Cole' as a successor to Andy Robertson.

But the 2019/20 Premier League champions might face a fight to hang onto one of their existing star men: Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with Real Madrid.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.