New Job for Jurgen Klopp?! Ex-Liverpool Boss Tipped to Win Champions League with Benfica as Presidential Candidate Makes Bold Claim

Could Jurgen Klopp Really Be the Man to Lead Benfica to a Champions League Crown?

The name Jurgen Klopp still carries weight wherever football is played. From his high-octane days at Borussia Dortmund to his era-defining stint at Liverpool, Klopp is more than a coach; he is a football institution. So, when a Benfica presidential candidate publicly vowed to bring him to Lisbon and tasked him with guiding the Portuguese giants to Champions League glory, the claim sent shockwaves across European football.

But is this genuine possibility or just another election stunt designed to captivate fans? Let’s dig deeper into the story, the players involved, and what it might mean for the future of Benfica—and Klopp himself.

What Happened?

The 2025 Benfica presidential election is heating up fast. Candidates are lining up not just with administrative plans but with big, flashy promises that tug directly at supporters’ hearts.

We’ve already seen Joao Noronha Lopes pledging to attempt the audacious signing of Bernardo Silva from Manchester City, a move that would reunite one of the club’s finest academy graduates with his boyhood team. Another candidate, Joao Diogo Manteigas, has focused on governance and values, promising to rebuild Benfica’s image off the pitch.

But Cristovao Carvalho has chosen a different approach—he’s going all in on the managerial hot seat. His pledge? To replace current head coach Bruno Lage at the end of his contract and hand the keys to none other than Jurgen Klopp.

What Carvalho Said

Speaking in an interview with SIC Noticias, Carvalho laid out his bold vision:

“With me, Bruno Lage won’t stay beyond his contract [which ends at the end of the season]. I need a coach of the highest level, who has already won the Champions League and who wants to win a Champions League with Benfica. There’s only one name that comes to mind: Jurgen Klopp. He even said that Benfica is a great club that he would like to coach one day. Someone who says this has something more than others to be at the club.”

It’s a claim that hits directly at Benfica supporters’ dreams. For decades, they have longed for not just domestic dominance but a European title to cement their status among the elite. Klopp’s name, with his Champions League pedigree and proven charisma, offers the perfect electoral bait.

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The Bigger Picture: Why Klopp and Why Now?

Klopp is no ordinary candidate. Since leaving Liverpool in the summer of 2024, his every move has been tracked with intrigue. He surprised many by accepting a role as Head of Global Soccer at RB Leipzig, a more executive position rather than a touchline job. With a contract running until 2029, Klopp has repeatedly suggested he might never return to day-to-day coaching.

Yet, Carvalho’s comments revive an idea that never quite died—the image of Klopp on the Benfica bench, fists pumping, crowd roaring, and European nights at the Estadio da Luz reclaiming their magic.

The timing is no coincidence. Benfica last tasted European glory in 1962, and their long wait for Champions League success has become part of the club’s identity—glorious at home, cursed abroad. A figure like Klopp, Carvalho argues, could finally break that cycle.

Is This Just Election Talk?

Elections in football clubs are notoriously fertile grounds for ambitious promises. Voters—passionate supporters—want to be wooed, and there’s no better way than dangling the dream of a world-class coach or superstar signing.

But how realistic is this? Let’s break it down:

1. Klopp’s Leipzig Contract – He is tied down until 2029 in an executive role. Any move to Benfica would require significant negotiation and possibly a massive financial package.

2. Klopp’s Own Words – The German has previously hinted that he may never return to the sidelines, citing the exhausting nature of modern management. Would he be tempted by the challenge of Benfica? Maybe. But it would require him to go back on his own statements.

3. Benfica’s Finances – While a wealthy club by Portuguese standards, Benfica cannot compete financially with Europe’s elite. Convincing Klopp would be less about money and more about project, prestige, and perhaps personal motivation.

Carvalho knows all this. His promise might be less about a concrete plan and more about selling a vision—a Benfica bold enough to dream big.

What About Bruno Lage?

Lost in the glamour of the Klopp talk is Bruno Lage, the current coach. A former title-winning manager at Benfica, Lage returned to the club in 2023 with hopes of stabilizing things after turbulent years. His current contract runs until the end of this season, and results have been steady if not spectacular.

Carvalho’s declaration effectively writes off Lage’s tenure, signaling a desire to wipe the slate clean and bring in a global heavyweight. For Lage, the election campaign is a tough backdrop to operate in—every result, every substitution, and every misstep will now be judged against the fantasy of Klopp.

Benfica’s Future at Stake

The presidential election, set for October 25, is more than just a popularity contest. It will determine the direction of the club for years to come.

• Noronha Lopes promises a squad rebuild headlined by player recruitment.

• Manteigas emphasizes governance and tradition.

• Carvalho gambles everything on the allure of Klopp.

Each vision appeals to different corners of Benfica’s vast and passionate fanbase. But Carvalho’s strategy is perhaps the most headline-grabbing—because few names in football carry as much gravitas as Jurgen Klopp.

Could Klopp Actually Lead Benfica to a Champions League Title?

It’s a tantalizing thought. Klopp, with his gegenpressing philosophy and man-management skills, taking charge of Benfica’s young, energetic squad. Imagine him refining Antonio Silva into one of Europe’s best defenders, unleashing Joao Neves in midfield, or developing the next generation of Portuguese talent.

With the right recruitment, Klopp could make Benfica a dark horse in Europe. After all, he led Dortmund to a Champions League final and transformed Liverpool from nearly-men into champions of everything.

But would he see Benfica as the right stage for his return? That’s where reality bites. The Portuguese league doesn’t carry the same global pull as the Premier League, La Liga, or Bundesliga. And Klopp has already hinted at enjoying life outside the daily grind of coaching.

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Conclusion: New Job for Jurgen Klopp?! Ex-Liverpool Boss Tipped to Win Champions League with Benfica

The idea of Jurgen Klopp managing Benfica may sound like a fantasy, but in the charged atmosphere of a presidential election, fantasy sells. Cristovao Carvalho has played his trump card, betting that the mere mention of Klopp’s name is enough to sway supporters.

Whether Klopp ever actually sits in the Benfica dugout is another matter entirely. For now, it’s a bold claim, a headline-maker, and a reminder of how much politics shapes modern football.

One thing is certain: if Klopp ever did walk out at the Estadio da Luz, the football world would stop and watch. And for Benfica fans, that dream—no matter how far-fetched—might just be enough to win votes.