Jurgen Klopp sends message to Roy Hodson over new managerial job

Jurgen Klopp was in the middle of saying that soccer management doesn't go on forever, when he corrected himself as he referenced Roy Hodgson's return

Jurgen Klopp addressed Roy Hodgson's return to management

Jurgen Klopp wished Roy Hodgson luck after the 78-year-old made a surprise return to management with Bristol City.

Hodgson, who had a brief spell as the Liverpool manager during the 2010-11 season, has stepped in to take charge of a club he previously managed in 1982 until the end of this season.

Klopp was speaking about Hodgson's return in the context of his own managerial career, which he said he always knew would not go on forever, ahead of his return to the Anfield dugout.

"I knew that before I did it. I knew, it's fine, it's a great job by the way, well paid, everything is fine, no worries, but it (management) is not forever," Klopp said, before pausing for thought and adding, "but actually that's not true!"

"Is it true that Roy Hodgson is the new manager of Bristol City? And he turns 79 in August," Klopp said. "Roy, I asked you last time if your flat is wet or whatever. It's really crazy, good luck [to him]!

"But they are 12 points the relegation zone, right? Then it's not the most difficult job at least. Enjoy a good time in Bristol. So yeah, for some, it (management) is forever."

Klopp left Liverpool in 2024, and has consistently maintained that he currently has no intention of returning to management – although he has not ruled out the possibility of that stance changing down the line.

Klopp has been linked with both the Germany and Real Madrid manager's jobs, while there has also been loose speculation over a return to Anfield.

In a media appearance last week, Klopp gave a light-hearted response after being asked about the Germany rumors.

“Straight to the point,” Klopp replied with a laugh. “I’m not thinking about that at all at the moment. Who knows what the next few years will bring. But there are absolutely no plans in that regard.”

Klopp is currently back in Liverpool for a charity game(Image: Iain Watts )

While Klopp responded to the Germany question in a light-spirited manner, he was much sterner when he shot down rumors linking him with Real Madrid that have circulated for several months.

“When is a story a story? When someone takes a sheet of paper and writes something on it? Or when there’s actually something to it?" Klopp asked, rhetorically.

"What does the situation have to be? That Real Madrid called me at some point and said: ‘Florentino Perez on the phone! Jurgen, how are things?'

"Or is it enough if OE24 – no idea whether that’s AI or written by people – writes some rubbish? That annoys me."

Klopp was referring to the Austrian news outlet OE24, which has frequently recirculated stories linking him with Real Madrid in recent times.

Confirming that he has had no contact with Madrid, Klopp then directly addressed the reporters present on Monday, saying: "You need to show a bit of discipline there. It’s all just nonsense."

He then jokingly added: "I’ll take over at Atletico Madrid as well, preferably at the same time. Sorry Madrid, you’ll have to ring first!"