Jurgen Klopp makes unlikely sporting appearance and given big part to play

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made a surprise appearance at the Winter Olympics, and was given a big task to complete during one of the events at the Milano-Cortina games

Jurgen Klopp was in attendance at the Winter Olympics(Image: Getty Images)

Jurgen Klopp made a surprise appearance at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday, with the former Liverpool manager having been given an important role to fulfil during one of the medal events.

The 58-year-old, who has been working as Red Bull’s head of global soccer since January 2025 after leaving Anfield the previous summer, was in attendance for the men’s biathlon 4x7.5m relay final, held in Anterselva in the north of Italy.

Klopp was seen watching on from the crowd, and the Reds’ former boss looked to be enjoying himself as he spoke to other supporters before - and he was given a big responsibility during the race.

Klopp rang the bell to signal the final lap, with the German seen passing on some encouragement as the competitors made their way past him. He might not have been best-pleased with the end result though.

France claimed the gold, with Norway and Sweden taking silver and bronze respectively, while Klopp’s home country just missed out on the medals, with Germany finishing fourth - less than a minute behind Sweden.

Jurgen Klopp rang the bell for the final lap of the men's biathlon relay(Image: Getty Images)

Klopp’s appearance at the Milano-Cortina games came amid ongoing speculation over a return to management. The former Liverpool boss has stayed away from the touchline since leaving Anfield, and has previously suggested he isn’t interested in stepping back into the dugout.

His agent revealed this week though that he has been approached by both Manchester United and Chelsea since leaving the Reds, despite his insistence that he wouldn’t manage another team in England other Liverpool.

Rumors continue over a potential move to Real Madrid as well. Alvaro Arbeloa has been handed the reins after Xabi Alonso was fired last month, but there have been suggestions that there could be another change at the Bernabeu in the summer, with Klopp supposedly being considered.

The man himself though has played down the prospect of him taking over in the Spanish capital, having stuck to his guns about a potential return to management.

“I'm in a place, as a person, where I'm completely at peace with where I am. I don't want to be somewhere else,” Klopp told AFP last month.

“I don't get up and excited if Real Madrid are showing interest. If they would be — but it's the media.

“Do I want to coach again? At the moment, I would say no, but I cannot say never, never, never,” he added.

“I don't expect to change my mind, but I don't know.”