Jurgen Klopp is claimed to be among the candidates considered for the Bayern Munich job, but Liverpool won’t be concerned by speculation.
Bayern dismissed Carlo Ancelotti in September after a disappointing start to the season, with interim replacement Jupp Heynckes overseeing a considerable upturn in fortunes.
The reigning Bundesliga champions currently sit top, three points clear of RB Leipzig, with Heynckes winning nine of his 10 games in charge so far.
But the 72-year-old is not planning on extending his stay at the Allianz Arena beyond the summer, with Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge accepting his decision.
Heynckes was previously considered a possible candidate for the long-term role, with Sport Bild claiming to reveal Bayern’s four-man shortlist.
However, ruling out a prolonged stint in the dugout, Heynckes has opened up the possibility of the remaining three prospective managers taking over.
One of those is Klopp, who is said to be an increasingly viable option due to criticism of his progress on Merseyside.
While Hoffenheim’s Julian Nagelsmann is not being considered due to his inexperience, Klopp’s successor at Borussia Dortmund, the now unemployed Thomas Tuchel, is on the shortlist.
And Germany manager Joachim Low is also a potential target, though he is not open to taking over next summer due to the World Cup in Russia.
This would, theoretically, leave Klopp vying for the role with Tuchel, but it is highly unlikely the 50-year-old would leave Merseyside any time soon.
The notion of Klopp departing his role at Anfield due to a recent downturn in form is farcical, particularly given the Reds are now seven games unbeaten.
They have won five of those seven games, with draws against Chelsea and Sevilla more unfortunate than anything.
Klopp signed a new six-year deal ahead of last season, which would keep him with Liverpool until the end of the 2021/22 campaign, and speaking recently he suggested he intends to honour that.
“I don’t need good weather,” he joked when asked whether he would be interested in taking over at Barcelona.
“I’m really happy at Liverpool, as I was really happy at Dortmund. I’ve fulfilled my dreams already.
“If Liverpool don’t want me anymore, I have to start thinking new. But in this moment I’m really happy and I don’t think about any clubs.”
A manager very much focused on a long-term project, it would be ridiculously out of character for Klopp to jump ship even if Bayern, the biggest club in Germany, came calling.
It seems that any talk of an approach from Munich can be deemed unnecessary, as Klopp is here to stay.
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