Jürgen Klopp: I don’t miss being in the dressing room, it smells bad

Jürgen Klopp, speaking on the podcast Diary of a CEO, admitted that if he were ever to return to England as a manager it would only be to Liverpool.

He again stressed that he does not miss the day to day life of coaching. His comments drew immediate attention because they balance two powerful ideas that often collide in modern football. On one side there is the emotional bond between a transformative coach and a club where he lifted major trophies and helped shape an identity. On the other side there is the reality of the coaching grind, a routine of long training sessions in all weather, relentless media cycles, and constant decision making that drains energy over time.

Klopp explained that he still coaches in a different way, a hint that he remains close to the sport through advisory work, leadership projects, or broader development roles that do not require him to be in the technical area every three days. He described little nostalgia for the parts of the job fans rarely see. Standing in the rain for hours to drill patterns and distances. Fronting multiple press conferences a week where the same questions are simply reframed. Managing a media schedule that expands well beyond match day and leaves little room for reflection. For a manager who led more than one thousand competitive matches, the dressing room is a place of intense memories. He made clear that it is not a space he needs to live in forever just because it once felt like home. The line about the smell was delivered with humor but carried a message about moving forward in life.

The mention of Liverpool was not accidental. If Klopp ever returned to the Premier League, he would only do so for the club where his philosophy connected with the city. High intensity pressing, fast transitions, and an emphasis on collective effort created a team that supporters could instantly recognize. The bond was formed not only by silverware but by a shared sense of purpose, a belief that energy and structure can coexist. His openness about the possibility of a theoretical return will always spark headlines because Liverpool represents a chapter that still resonates with players and fans. Yet his insistence that he does not miss coaching suggests that any comeback is a matter for much later, if at all.

His remarks also offer a window into the pressures of elite management. Modern coaches operate inside a complex ecosystem that includes sports science, data analysis, recruitment strategy, academy integration, and commercial demands. The head coach is expected to articulate a clear tactical model while managing the human elements that define a dressing room. That workload has only grown with the expansion of competitions and the global reach of clubs. For a figure who has already climbed the highest peaks, the motivation to reenter that world must be absolute. Klopp’s words suggest that he values a period of distance, time to recharge, and space to engage with football on his own terms.

Age featured in his reflection. At 58 he sits in a bracket where experience is deep but personal priorities evolve. Some managers seek a new project to rebuild, others choose to step sideways into roles that leverage their expertise without the constant strain of match preparation. Klopp sounded comfortable with uncertainty. He acknowledged that a decision could be made in a few years and that there is no need to force a timeline. For now he is focused on a project he loves and on working with people he trusts. That alignment is often what sustains long term success in any field.

There is also a cultural layer to his comments. Klopp became known for emotional clarity and direct communication. He rarely hid from difficult questions and often protected his players in public. That leadership style builds loyalty but also carries a weight that is hard to measure. Choosing not to miss the routine of coaching does not diminish his passion for the game. It recognizes that the most demanding roles should be entered with full conviction. If that conviction returns, doors will open. If it does not, the legacy remains intact.

For Liverpool supporters his words are both comforting and realistic. Comforting because they confirm that no other English club would tempt him. Realistic because they underline that a return is not an active plan. In practical terms, the club’s current structure and coaching staff must be assessed on their own merits without a permanent shadow of what if. The healthiest way to honor a successful era is to allow the next chapter to develop its own identity while keeping the door to the past respectfully closed.

From a broader perspective, Klopp’s stance fits a pattern seen with elite managers who step away at a time of their choosing. After an intense cycle, the smartest decision can be to pause, reassess, and decide if the hunger to live the full commitment of daily coaching is still there. Many remain engaged in football through education initiatives, foundation work, or mentorship of coaches and executives. They shape the game from a different vantage point and often reappear stronger if they return to the dugout later.

In summary, the podcast appearance reframed the conversation around Klopp. He is not positioning himself for a rapid comeback, nor is he detaching from the sport that defined his professional life. He is drawing a clear line between love for Liverpool and the willingness to reenter the exhaustive rhythm of elite management. If a decision comes in the future, it will be because the timing, the people, and the purpose align. Until then, he seems content to contribute in ways that keep his curiosity alive without the toll that daily coaching demands.