Jurgen Klopp as USA national team boss 'almost impossible' as he'd have to take massive pay cut

07/08/2024 12:11 PM

The chances of Jurgen Klopp taking charge of the USA national team are ‘almost impossible’.

That’s the view of German football expert Constantin Eckner, who believes that the USMNT couldn’t afford the German boss.

Klopp is enjoying some time away from football having just left Liverpool after eight and a half years at Anfield.

While saying that he’d like a break, the 57-year-old has been linked with the top job in US football with ex-Chelsea player Sebastian Kneissl discussing him as a candidate for the USA job.

But speaking on talkSPORT’s Euro GameDay Warm-Up, Eckner says that it’s likely to be a non-starter as he’d have to take a massive pay cut on the £15million-a-year he banked in his final Liverpool contract.

Asked if we'll see Klopp in management again, Eckner said: "I don't doubt it.

"I don't believe he will be the United States national head coach though because it's almost impossible.

"They introduced an equal pay policy last year and Emma Hayes – who is managing the United States women's team – is receiving $2million a year which means that Klopp would also earn $2million per year.

"I don't believe that's an offer he will take."

With England also potentially looking for a new head coach if Gareth Southgate leaves after Euro 2024, Eckner was then quizzed on whether Klopp could be a contender for the job.

Asked how people in Germany would react if he took the job, Eckner added: "I think a lot of people would understand.

"Think about how many years he was at Liverpool – almost a decade – so when you've been there for a while you also embrace everything that you like about English football.

"Becoming the English national coach, I think a lot of people would be proud that a German represents the English FA and the Three Lions because it would be a first."

Speaking ahead of his Liverpool exit, Klopp hinted that he may never manage again, saying: “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, 100 per cent. That's not possible.

“My love for this club, my respect for the people is too big. I couldn't. I couldn't for a second think about it. There's no chance. This is part of my life, we are part of the family, we feel home here. There's no chance to do that.

“But all the rest, will I ever work again? Of course, I know myself, I cannot just sit around. I will find something else maybe to do.

“But I will not manage a club or a country at least for a year, that's not possible, I cannot do that and I don't want to.”