City, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan: Where’s next for Jurgen Klopp?

With the iconic German set to leave Dortmund this summer, the race now begins to secure the services of one of Europe’s best coaches. Let’s look at his possible destinations

The 47-year-old took over at Westfalenstadion in 2008 and has led the club to a string of trophies, including two Bundesliga titles and the DFB Pokal. He also reached the Champions League final.

However, the ex-Mainz boss has struggled this term with Dortmund down in 10th place, and he has decided to step aside with three years left to run on his contract.

Regarded as one of Europe’s most talented coaches, the attention now turns to which team Klopp will manage next. The charismatic trainer doesn’t intend to take a year out, so the race has already begun to snap him up at the end of the season.

So who will Klopp’s next side be? We take a look his options…

MANCHESTER CITY

Manchester City and Klopp could be a marriage made sooner rather than later. Manuel Pellegrini is under increasing pressure as their title defence falls apart. The club have long maintained that a decision on the manager’s future will wait until the summer but, on the back of a Manchester derby defeat, another Champions League failure and a late-season run-in that has seen City scrapping for fourth rather than the title, there are serious questions about the Chilean’s future.

And so comes Klopp, who was offered the City job prior to Pellegrini’s appointment in 2013. A man whose work with youngsters has long impressed the City directors, a man whose charisma and character matches a club of the burgeoning size of City, and a man whose immediate availability means that City’s long pursuit of Pep Guardiola can take a back seat.

“[England] is the only country where I should work because I know the language a little bit and I need the language for my work. And so we will see. If somebody will call me then we will talk about it,” Klopp told BT Sport earlier this season.

It would appear that now, all roads could lead to that desire and destiny being fulfilled at Eastlands.

REAL MADRID

Klopp has been linked with Real Madrid several times in the past and was a target when Jose Mourinho rejoined Chelsea in 2013, but Florentino Perez eventually opted for Carlo Ancelotti.

The German could again be an option this summer with Ancelotti’s future in doubt. Unless the Italian retains the Champions League or overhauls Barcelona’s La Liga lead, he will almost certainly be sacked in June.

Some Madrid directors believe they require a more aggressive and tougher coach – the opposite of Ancelotti’s ‘soft hand’ – and famed motivator Klopp would tick those boxes.

However, the favourite to replace Ancelotti is Castilla boss Zinedine Zidane. The legendary Frenchman has been groomed for the role for some time, while Joachim Low is also another serious option should the Italian survive until after Euro 2016.

BARCELONA

Jurgen Klopp is one of the favourites to take over Barcelona this summer if Luis Enrique leaves. He has been sounded out by several presidential candidates ahead of this summer’s elections.

Current president Josep Maria Bartomeu made contact with the 47-year-old earlier this season when Luis Enrique’s position at Camp Nou was in danger and could follow up his interest if Barca fail to meet their objectives in La Liga and the Champions League.

Former chief Joan Laporta, who will also stand for what would be his second mandate, has also sounded out Klopp. Indeed, he may have already reached a preliminary agreement with the outgoing Dortmund boss.Goal is aware that another presidential candidate, Agusti Benedito, has also talked to the BVB boss ahead of the elections.

Elsewhere, there are surprise rumours that Athletic Bilbao will attempt to sign Klopp. Ernesto Valverde’s contract expires in June and the Basques could opt for a high-profile foreigner, just as they did in 1992-93 with Jupp Heynckes – then a two-time Bundesliga winner. However, it seems unlikely that Klopp would be interested in such a move.

AC MILAN

AC Milan are enduring one of the most difficult periods in their history and look certain to finish outside of the European places for a second season in succession.

Coach Pippo Inzaghi is unlikely to remain past the end of the current campaign, regardless of whether long-time owner Silvio Berlusconi remains in control of the club.

Berlusconi has been in negotiations to sell a majority share to Thai billionaire Bee Taechchaubol, and if that deal were to be completed then ‘Mr Bee’ wants a big-name coach to bring back the glory days to Milan.

Antonio Conte is understood to be Bee’s first choice right now, but with the Italy boss unlikely to be available until after Euro 2016, the door opens for Klopp. Whether the German would be interested in a club that requires so much rebuilding is another matter.

Source – Goal.com

Edited by aderinwaledavid