Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has shrugged off the idea that he could work as a pundit for the Champions League final just days after leaving Anfield, where he would analyse another of his former teams Borussia Dortmund. The German head has refused to comment on where his future lies when he departs Merseyside but has vehemently denied any immediate plans to work for a broadcaster.
After Dortmund reached the final against Real Madrid, Klopp’s whereabouts for the Wembley showpiece were questioned in his Friday pre-match press conference and the head coach had a fiery response.
When asked if he would be a fan or a pundit for the final, a bemused Klopp replied: “Supporter. Not pundit. Are you crazy? How to lose a Champions League final! A big, big achievement.”
Klopp was in charge of Dortmund the last time they reached the Champions League final, losing to rivals Bayern Munich in 2013, and was over the moon for his old club following their semi-final victory over Paris Saint-Germain: “Really happy about that. Cool to watch. Big, big achievement.”
Watch all the Premier League and Champions League drama unfold on TNT Sports
The 56-year-old has already burned bridges with TNT Sports, blasting the broadcaster that will be covering European football’s showpiece later this month, hitting out for their repeated scheduling of Liverpool games for the early kick-off on Saturdays.
“I had a discussion only the other day with colleagues from our favourite TV channel which I will definitely not watch again, TNT,” Klopp said in an explosive rant. “And said it’s always a conversation they have, saying they pay you, they give money to football. It’s not like that. I really don’t see it like that. It’s exactly the other way round, football pays them. They broadcast it, they deliver, but it’s not that TNT is not doing extremely well, or Sky or whoever, is doing extremely well.
“No, it’s a general problem. Nothing to do with our schedule now. That they dare give Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday 12.30 is a crime. I was actually waiting for Amnesty International to go to them.
“In a whole world, we have the quickest turnaround between games. That is absolutely insane. But they are still happy and they like subscribers. You can take me off that list! But if you’re looking for a pundit, I speak English! I could do it.”
Klopp had also reportedly been considered for a punditry job at Euro 2024 by both the BBC and ITV, but he is set to take time away from work after nearly nine years at Anfield and enjoy the tournament in his native Germany as a supporter.
