Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/812895
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 APRIL 2017 20 Sport SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL Jurgen Klopp could see out career at Liverpool JURGEN Klopp has revealed he could end his managerial career at Liverpool. The German was appointed as Anfield boss in October 2015 and signed a new six-year contract last summer. The former Mainz and Borus- sia Dortmund manager told Ger- man magazine Sport1: "I will not have been in charge of 10 different clubs once my managerial career is over. "There is a not insignificant chance I will have coached three clubs. It is always quite easy for me to fully commit to what I am doing because they are often long-term projects." The 49-year-old does admit, however, that he is under pressure to bring silverware to Merseyside. He added: "If I fulfil my con- tract with Liverpool, then there is a good chance I will have won something here. "I could be in an uncomfortable situation if we do not win any- thing. People expect Liverpool to win trophies." Liverpool have not won a league title since 1990 and last year fin- ished eighth. The Reds were also unable to maintain a sustained title chal- lenge this year, although they re- main in contention for a Champi- ons League place. Klopp believes everyone at the club is pulling in the right di- rection in an attempt to end the drought. He said: "We can't have any doubts, but rather work on mak- ing it one day. If you are con- vinced that the right folks work on it, then you can also believe in it. I believe that this joint ef- fort makes it significantly more likely." Klopp could be joined in the Premier League next season by his friend and former Dortmund assistant David Wagner, who has led a strong push for promotion at Championship side Huddersfield. The Terriers are on course for a play-off place having been 18th when Wagner took charge in 2015. Klopp said: "The second league in England is incredibly difficult, with 24 teams plus relegation at the end. It's absolutely crazy, how many games, but it's not a big deal (for him). He is the one of the hot- test trainers in England." Harry Redknapp appointed manager of Birmingham HARRY Redknapp has revealed he agreed to become Birmingham's new manager after getting "fed up" with his time out of football. The 70-year-old has been confirmed as Gianfranco Zola's successor, and will be assisted by former Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill as he bids to preserve their Championship status. Zola's run of only two wins from 24 fix- tures has left the club 20th and only three points above the relegation zone with three games to play, but Redknapp told TalkSport: "I got fed up sitting around do- ing nothing. I will come and live up here until the end of the season. "If I can keep them up then we can sit down and talk about going forward. "I got a phone call last night from the people at Birmingham. "I drove to London, had a meeting for 10 to 15 minutes, sat down and said 'Yeah, I will do it, no problem'. I got home and my wife said: 'Are you mad?'" "Birmingham is a proper club. It is a good club. They are in a precarious posi- tion and we have got the worst goal differ- ence as well. "I've gone in there, said I will come and do it. The money I am not interested in." Birmingham fans chanted for Zola's departure during Monday's 2-0 defeat by Burton, after which the Italian resigned. The club's season began promisingly un- der new Derby manager Gary Rowett, who led them into contention for promotion before unexpectedly being sacked and re- placed by Zola. Redknapp's last job in English foot- ball came at Derby last season, when he worked as a football advisor alongside then-manager Darren Wassall. He also worked with the Jordan national team for two games, but was last a man- ager in England with QPR, who he left in 2015 after guiding them to promotion to the Premier League at the first attempt. In a previous spell in the Championship he inspired Portsmouth to the 2003 title. His first match as manager comes at cross-city rivals Aston Villa on Sunday. They then host promotion contenders Huddersfield, and visit the similarly rele- gation-threatened Bristol City.