Fans were left stunned by a recent picture of a fresh-faced Jurgen Klopp, just four months after his Liverpool exit.
Klopp’s Anfield tenure ended in May with the German announcing his shock decision to leave the club back in January.
AFPKlopp looked in fine form on Tuesday which was immediately noticed by fans[/caption]
He went on to win the Carabao Cup before securing safe passage back to the Champions League with a third-placed finish.
Klopp cited his depleted energy levels as the main reason behind his departure and admitted he could no longer continue in the role.
“My managerial skills are based on energy and emotion and that takes all of you,” said Klopp. “If I cannot do it anymore, stop it. It was not my idea when I signed the new contract.
“I was 100 per cent convinced at that moment we would go until 2026. But I realised my resources are not endless. I’m not a young rabbit anymore.”
The ex-Liverpool boss appears to have been enjoying his well-earned football sabbatical, at least judging by his most recent pictures.
On Tuesday, Klopp received the order of merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by federal president Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellvue Palace in Berlin.
He was recognised for his achievements in supporting German-British relations and his involvement ‘in social and community activities’ such as ‘assisting underprivileged young people’ and living ‘tolerance, team spirit and solidarity.’
A picture of a leaner-looking Klopp posing with the award saw fans flock to social media to have their say.
One fan wrote: “Man, Klopp is looking so much better no longer dealing with the stress of football management.”
Klopp endured rigours of Premier League management for eight years before standing down as Liverpool boss in MayGetty
The German led Liverpool to their first Premier League title in 30 yearsGetty
A second added: “Dude is rolling back the years. What a proper summer off does for a man.”
Another fan wrote: “He looks so Hollywood nowadays.”
A fourth fan added: “My man looks sharp as hell. Like a German James Bond.”
A final user wrote: “I know he’s dressed up, etc but he looks ten years younger.”
Klopp gave nothing away when pressed on a possible return to football amid recent links with the German national team.
Julian Nagelsmann is currently in the hot seat but at just 37 years of age, many are expecting the ex-Bayern Munich boss to return to club football in the near future.
Klopp has been tipped as a possible successor to Nagelsmann, not least by German national team director Rudi Voller, who hinted at a potential future collaboration with the former Liverpool boss.
“I don’t know what Jurgen would like to do again,” Voller said. “But if Julian Nagelsmann were to decide at some point that he would rather coach a top club in Europe or Germany again – of course, then there is no way around Jurgen Klopp if he wants to.”
Responding to Voller’s words, Klopp said: “Everyone hopes that Julian Nagelsmann will do this for much, much longer than 2026.
“I would be reluctant to talk about football today because there is nothing to say.
“Rudi Voller is a very nice guy. He was put in the situation where he had to talk about it.”