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Jurgen Klopp has announced his return to the touchline in a playful video unveiling his latest project.
The German left his position as Liverpool manager in the summer of 2024 and has consistently maintained since then that he had no desire to return to management. The 58-year-old made his comeback to soccer in January 2025 when he took up a consultancy role with the Red Bull organisation as their Head of Global Soccer.
Furthermore, it was revealed last month that he had also taken on a new role with the German Football League (DFL), joining a specialist panel dedicated to improving the country's soccer.
However, Klopp has now announced his latest venture, confirming he will serve as a pundit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States with Magenta TV.
Revealed through a social media video on Friday, the former Liverpool manager could not resist teasing a touchline return before clarifying the genuine nature of his forthcoming role.
"Many of you have always known better," he stated in a voiceover alongside footage of him walking around a stadium. "But I truly couldn't envision it for myself.
"Going back to the sideline? I don't miss anything. This is what I always thought. But now it is tingling again. Grass underneath my feet. The heated atmosphere in the stadium. And I want to be really close again."
Klopp then spoke directly to the camera as he dismissed speculation of a managerial comeback once more.
"Oh? No, not as a manager," he clarified.
"I am becoming a pundit for Magenta TV at the FIFA World Cup 2026."
Klopp was then seen video-calling German television host and journalist Johannes B. Kerner.
"Hi Johannes," he began. "I'm in! See you on June 11 in Mexico! Cool sentence. Except for Indiana Jones, probably nobody can say it."
Additionally, Klopp hinted at his comeback in the caption alongside the video, writing: "Grass underfoot, stadium atmosphere, very close!
"Back to the sideline, I'm looking forward to it!"
English (US) ·