Jurgen Klopp’s potential sport switch after departing Liverpool and Premier League

Jurgen Klopp, departing as Liverpool manager, might leave football for padel, a racquet sport he loves.

May 23, 2024

Jurgen Klopp To Manage A New Sport — James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images

Jurgen Klopp may opt to transition away from football entirely in favor of a sport that holds a special place in his heart following his departure as manager of Liverpool. The renowned German concluded his tenure at Anfield on Sunday (May 19) with a convincing 2-0 win against Wolves, marking the end of his successful nine-and-a-half-year reign.

Embarking on a football hiatus abroad, Klopp is rumored, according to The Sun, to retreat to the sunny Spanish island of Majorca. The 56-year-old has invested in a villa on the island, situated just off the Spanish coast, where he intends to lead a modest life away from the public eye.

The allure of Klopp’s £3.5 million estate lies in its proximity to the Mallorca Country Club, where he can indulge in his passion for padel. This racquet sport, blending elements of squash and tennis, has been gaining popularity in the UK, and Klopp has embraced it wholeheartedly.

Originating in Mexico in the 1960s, padel resembles tennis but is played on a smaller court with the addition of back walls for ball rebounding. Klopp’s fondness for the sport developed during his time at Liverpool, where courts were installed at the Melwood Training Ground, providing him with the opportunity to compete against his coaching staff.

“Padel is, besides football, the best game I’ve ever played,” Klopp remarked. “I’ve only known it in the last five years or so, but since then, I’m really addicted to it. You make big steps in a short period of time. It’s really fun to play.”

Klopp’s enthusiasm has led him to collaborate with Wilson Padel to launch a collection featuring a Borussia Dortmund-inspired black and yellow padel racket and bag. However, these items come at a considerable cost, with the racket priced at 310 euros and the Klopp-designed bag, capable of accommodating up to six rackets, priced at 120 euros.

“While I’ve spent my career focused on coaching football at the highest level, padel has become my favourite sport to play,” Klopp stated in his partnership agreement. “It’s truly the same passion, just for a new game, and I am very excited to have the opportunity to partner with Wilson on shaping the future of Padel.”

While Klopp’s future managerial ambitions remain uncertain, residing in a luxurious villa in Majorca adjacent to a prestigious country club, with his favourite sport readily accessible, suggests that any return to football management may not be imminent.