'That's not Jurgen Klopp' - sporting director makes claim over Liverpool manager next move

Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel believes Jurgen Klopp will not take a club job in either England or Germany when he decides to resume his managerial career.

Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season after almost nine years in charge with his last game coming on Sunday at home to Wolves in the Premier League.

Having spent less than five months out of the game since first assuming a role at Mainz in 2001, the outgoing Reds boss has declared he will take a sabbatical of at least a year before deciding on his next move.

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Klopp has already stated he won't consider another job in English club football out of respect for Liverpool, with many observers in Germany believing he will eventually take over as their national team boss.

And Heidel, who is a long-time friend of Klopp having worked with him as Mainz sporting director, is convinced his former colleague will not be persuaded to cut short his extended break.

“To all the people who now believe that he will be back in two months: that’s not Jurgen Klopp," he said, speaking to German news outlet Bild. "I would put my hand in the fire for that. And I know a little bit about what he’s up to.

“The people who say that he will come back tomorrow - what kind of pressure was on a coach like Jurgen Klopp, with these clubs that he had? It’s completely understandable to me that he just wants to take care of himself and his family now.

"I can’t imagine him ever coaching another club in England. That just doesn’t suit him. And I think that’s also very difficult in Germany.”