Germany, Real Madrid and Barcelona will look to disturb Klopp's rest

Jurgen Klopp's decision to step down as Liverpool manager has sparked speculation over who will succeed him at Anfield. 

It also raises the question as to what the next job will be for the German tactician. 

Ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup fourth round tie against Norwich on Sunday, we take a look at the possibilities for Klopp's future. 

No English return

When explaining his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Klopp briefly addressed the issue of his own intentions. 

He said: "If you ask me, 'Will you ever work as a manager again?' I would say now, no. 

"But I don't know obviously how that will feel because I never had the situation. 

"What I know definitely. I will never, ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool." 

Klopp was last out of work in 2015. He left Borussia Dortmund at the end of May in that year and by October he had taken charge at Anfield. 

This was despite having pledged to take 12 months off before his next project. 

The 56-year-old spoke of declining energy levels when announcing his departure so may feel the need for another sabbatical. 

Yet with Klopp likely to be offered some of the most desirable jobs in world football once he is available, it is hard to imagine him being out of work for too long. 

Germany 

Klopp could well have the option of taking on the biggest job available to any German football coach. 

Julian Nagelsmann is the current Germany manager and his contract expires after Euro 2024. 

The DFB wanted Klopp for the job in September, but could not prise him from Liverpool. 

With the lesser demands of being an international manager in comparison to at a major club, he could be persuaded to take charge in the summer. 

Appointing an interim while Klopp takes a longer sabbatical is another option and it might have to be. 

In January 2023, he spoke about the possibility of one day managing the national team. 

Klopp said: "It's not completely out of the question that I'll be the national coach at some point.  

"But it has to fit. And so far it hasn't. And if I end the contract in Liverpool, then nothing will be done for a year." 

European giants

Another major position in Germany that could be offered to Klopp is that of Bayern Munich. 

The Bavarian giants are never far away from appointing their next manager, so the timescale of any sabbatical is almost irrelevant. 

Klopp also mooted the possibility of one day returning to his former club Borussia Dortmund in 2019. 

He said: "As a rescuer in need, if the club really needs my help, why should not I do that?" 

Over in Spain, Real Madrid have been long-time admirers of Klopp. A complication would be the contract extension that they have just handed to Carlo Ancelotti. 

Yet it would be no surprise if the LaLiga team thought this too good an opportunity to pass, particularly as their rivals Barcelona are also likely to be interested. 

Barca president Joan Laporta is thought to consider the former Mainz boss as his dream appointment. 

Klopp might be thinking about a rest when he leaves Liverpool but he can be assured that he will get multiple attractive offers to return to the dugout.