Klopp might take year-long sabbatical at end of LFC contract in 2022 – ESPN

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According to sources close to ESPN, Jürgen Klopp could elect to take a year off after his current deal with the club expires in 2022.

That said, Klopp has also apparently also been offered new terms on his contract already.

Although, Fenway Sports Group hope the German will extend his deal at Anfield, they have been advised not to apply undue pressure to the 51-year-old, Melissa Reddy writes.

Klopp has worked tirelessly to win his first trophy with the Reds; the Champions League represents a prime piece of silverware to finally achieve tangible success for the external world.

Internally, he would have been rewarded a contract whatever the outcome, such is his influence and impact within the club and the respect he has from FSG themselves.

Although Klopp clearly loves being at the helm with us, he has repeatedly claimed that he wants to take a break from the stresses of being an elite manager.

Our charismatic manager has previously spoken of the issue to his family, suggesting 12 months off from the pressures of football could be a possibility from a personal perspective.

Of course, FSG want to keep Klopp at Anfield for longer than the remaining three years of his deal.

John W Henry et al don’t want to be put in the uneviable situation where he declines a new contract.

Therefore, FSG will likely wait for Klopp ask to renew his present conditions with the Reds before doing anything, with the Kop boss not yet giving any signs he would turn back on a post-2022 break.

However, Jürgen and the owners are on extremely good terms and ESPN report that FSG president Mike Gordon actually stayed at the German’s house after the Champions League trophy parade.

Were Klopp to lengthen his contract at Liverpool, it seems like it would not be a drawn-out affair.

When FSG offered Klopp his six-year deal back in June 2016, Gordon was told by Klopp that he could envisage a career-long stay at Anfield.

Hours later, Gordon got on the phone to Henry and Tom Werner and thrashed out a deal in mere hours, which was signed on 16th June by a then holidaying Klopp who was still busy celebrating his 49th birthday.

If Klopp does choose to take a break when his contract his up in 2022, FSG have reportedly said they will honour his decision.

There is a precedent for this – the German said, after leaving Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2015, he would take a break “for the time being” but actually joined the Reds months later.

Although there seems to be a septenary pattern to Jürgen’s previous managerial reigns at Mainz and Dortmund, the feeling from FSG is apparently that he could stay on longer then seven years.

He arrived on Merseyside in October 2015, Klopp’s potential end date of 2022 would fit that pattern though the stateside ownership seem confident he will buck the trend this time.

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