Jurgen Klopp denied reunion with old foe ahead of Germany job announcement

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Jurgen Klopp is set to be confirmed as Germany's new manager this week, but it seems the former Liverpool boss will not be joined in the international game by Pep GuardiolaJurgen Klopp is expected to be confirmed as Germany's new manager(Image: Getty Images)Jurgen Klopp looks as though he will be denied the chance to go head-to-head with Pep Guardiola again as the former Liverpool boss prepares to make his return to management.Klopp is expected to be announced as his country’s new boss, having been in talks with the German football association (DFB) since Julian Nagelsmann was dismissed after the early exit from the World Cup against Paraguay.The 59-year-old’s new job has been all but confirmed at this point, with the man himself having revealed he has reached an agreement to leave his current role with Red Bull, and he is set to be unveiled in Frankfurt on Friday.His long-time rival Guardiola has also been linked with a move into international management, but it seems the Manchester City boss will not be taking over as Italy’s new boss.Guardiola, who left City after 10 years in charge earlier this summer, has been in talks with the Italian federation about taking over the Azzurri after their failure to reach the World Cup, but Gazzetta dello Sport now reports that he is close to rejecting the role.Paolo Maldini and Leonardo are claimed to have been sent to Barcelona to speak ot Guardiola, but have returned to Italy “with little optimism”.Pep Guardiola looks as though he won't be joining Jurgen Klopp in international management(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)It seems we’re unlikely to see Klopp and Guardiola renew their rivalry then, with the latter claimed to have promised his family that he will take some time off following his exit from City.The pair came up against each other in Germany and England, with their time at Liverpool and City respectively seeing them dominating the Premier League, and both have spoken highly of each other, with Guardiola citing Klopp’s side as his “biggest challenge”.Klopp’s return to management is already in motion, two years on from his exit from Anfield. He is expected to sign a four-year deal with Germany, which will take him through Euro 2028 and onto the 2030 World Cup.According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz are both expected to join his coaching staff, having also been part of his team at Liverpool.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.Klopp is also set to appoint Sven Bender as one of his assistants, with talks said to be in the final stages about adding the former defender to his staff. Bender played under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund and has gone into coaching since retiring from playing in 2021, having been an assistant to Edin Terzic at Dortmund, as well as interim head coach at SpVgg Unterhaching.Klopp has already effectively confirmed his appointment, having told MagentaTV that he had come to an agreement to leave his role at Red Bull, where he had been working as head of global soccer since January 2025."Nothing has been finalized yet," Klopp said.

"But the talks have gone well, and everything is moving in the right direction.“I've reached an agreement and an arrangement with Red Bull - a very, very generous one, if you like. So, practically speaking, nothing stands in the way anymore.”