Didi Hamann, the former Liverpool and Germany midfielder, believes Jurgen Klopp is the best man to take over from Gareth Southgate and the FA should be getting on the phone.
Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Didi Hamann thinks the FA will approach Jurgen Klopp to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager. And the last player to score at the old Wembley insists having Klopp, who departed Anfield in May after almost a decade in charge, in the dugout will maximise the Three Lions’ chance of winning the 2026 World Cup.
Southgate’s contract expires at the end of this year but reports over the past 24 hours suggest that the FA may look to tie him down to a new deal having reached consecutive European Championship finals.
Klopp has already turned down the advances of the United States and is determined to take an extended break. But ahead of Sunday night’s showdown against Spain in Berlin, Hamann insists England must do what they can to convince him to take the job.
“Jurgen Klopp wants to take a year off and the German national team manager role is taken, but I’m pretty sure England will approach Klopp when the tournament is over,” he told Top Offshore SportsBooks.
“I think a lot of people would be very happy if he were to take over the national team. He said he’s taking a sabbatical so is it possible to wait for six months or maybe let him take over next summer?
“There are a few qualifiers but qualifying has always been pretty comfortable for England. I think they will ask him whether he wants to do it and then it’s up to him whether he would accept it or not, Thomas Tuchel might be interested as well.
“Years ago it would have been hard to imagine a German manager in England but the chances have never been better than it’s going to happen in the next few months.”
Hamann added that England’s squad profile, which should mean they are competing at the latter stages of the next few tournaments, would suit Klopp. And that can “get England fans dreaming.”
He continued: “On paper, Jurgen Klopp is best placed to lead England to World Cup glory in 2026 because of what he did at Liverpool. He managed to win the Premier League and two Champions League titles, with the squad he had he did wonderful things.”