Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pick for England manager has just taken different job

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England career has stalled under Thomas Tuchel

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dream of reuniting with Jurgen Klopp was shattered after the former Liverpool boss became the new Germany manager. Klopp, 59, has returned to management with the national team in his first coaching role since departing Anfield in the summer of 2024.

The Real Madrid defender spent the entirety of his professional career at Liverpool under Klopp and previously admitted his desire to play under him again – but on the international stage.

Speaking after Gareth Southgate stepped down as Three Lions boss following their Euro 2024 final defeat, Alexander-Arnold was asked about his thoughts on Klopp replacing him as the England boss.

The 27-year-old said: “I enjoyed every moment I worked with him, we shared amazing memories, forged an amazing relationship, an amazing bond. So of course if that were to happen, we would pick up where we left off.”

Klopp made the shock decision to depart Liverpool due to a lack of energy. His former pupil admitted at the time that he would have been surprised if he took the role just two months after leaving Merseyside.

Alexander-Arnold added: “I would be surprised if he did take it. It was clear when he announced when he was leaving, the conversations I have had with him, everything on social media, he seems to be enjoying his time off, so it would be a huge surprise.”

Klopp’s first press conference as Germany boss on Friday started with a bang. He immediately handed an ultimatum to the German press by threatening to quit the job if they do not leave his family alone.

“Now is the time where I’m really in the middle of the media focus,” Klopp began. “I was surprised, not negatively or positively surprised, at how fast news spread. And it’s sometimes hard for people to just think ‘let’s turn a blind eye to things’ and not to divulge any information.

“Sometimes that is the right thing to do, not to publish things that happened. I know full well this is job number one for me. It is my mission to make the national squad better and to hope the pool for me to choose from is bigger.

“But it is not something I will do against you, but I’m doing it for you. It is an honour. I will be remunerated very graciously and if tomorrow it’s ‘Jurgen Klopp is s***’, then I will be gone. But if the DFB (German FA) says ‘Come on let us not continue the job’ then that’s it.

“And if you (the media) behave badly and don’t let my family live in peace. I’ll be gone and I’ll just turn away. I know there are other countries where the national team head coaches are treated even worse. But I love this job, but I’m always ready to call just call it quits if need be.

“Jurgen Klopp is not going to have any ‘career’ after the national team, this is the absolute pinnacle of my footballing career as a coach. I will give everything I’ve got.”

The ex-Liverpool star’s international career has stalled under Thomas Tuchel, who stunningly left out the full-back from his World Cup squad this summer. Alexander-Arnold suffered an injury-hit debut campaign with Spain and made just 30 appearances across all competitions in what was a trophy-less season for Madrid.