Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp dropped a bombshell on the world of international soccer on Wednesday when he announced he would be leaving the club at season’s end. Klopp has spent seven years in charge at Dortmund, guiding it to two Bundesliga titles, one German Cup and a Champions League final.
Young, charismatic and capable of turning the sum of his players into something that’s somehow greater than the individual parts, the 47-year-old Klopp has long been among the most sought-after
managers in Europe. And unlike Pep Guardiola, he has no plans to take any kind of sabbatical from the sport. So with this unexpected news, several of Europe’s top clubs are assumed to be on alert.
Here are five possible places where Klopp could end up next.
1. Manchester City
The collapse of City’s campaign to retain the Premier League title is likely to drag a number of people down with it. Chief among them, manager Manuel Pellegrini, whose tactical naivety and seeming inability to motivate his squad have cost the Citizens dearly this season. Despite City publicly denying any interest in Klopp, British bookmakers have the club as odds-on favorites to secure his services.
But while Klopp’s charisma and technical know-how make him an obvious choice for a club like City, it’s difficult to envisage him imposing his all-running, high-intensity style on City’s current crop of aging and jaded players. Although with Pellegrini’s reign likely on its way to a premature end, City could decide it’s worth taking a punt on Klopp if attempts to lure long-term target Pep Guardiola from Bayern Munich this summer prove unsuccessful.
2. Real Madrid
Real Madrid is possibly the only club in the world where a manager can win the Champions League one season, make it through to the quarterfinals and be within two points of the domestic crown the next season and still be in danger of getting sack. But such is the situation Carlo Ancelotti currently finds himself in. Should the Italian fail to overhaul Barcelona in the La Liga title race or, at the very least, reach the Champions League final, it’s highly unlikely he’ll still be in charge next season.
Madrid’s current squad certainly has enough youth, pace and vitality to adapt to Klopp’s demanding style of play. Taking over at Real Madrid would offer the Dortmund manager a level of prestige few other clubs could match. Providing Klopp, who’s managed just two clubs over the course of his 14-year career, isn’t put off by Madrid’s tendency to regularly discard managers, he potentially could be a good fit for the Bernabeu outfit.
3. Arsenal
With his attacking style, technical acumen and predisposition towards legacy building rather than club-hopping, Klopp has long been seen as a potential successor to Arsene Wenger. But there are few indications the Arsenal manager, whose contract runs until 2017, is willing to hand over the reigns at the Emirates just yet. Currently in line for a second-place finish in the Premier League and considered favorites to retain the FA Cup, the Gunners could be on track for their best season in a decade. This means there is also little danger of Wenger being sacked.
As to whether Wenger decides this season’s impending success amounts to the preamble to one last glorious title run, or a suitably high note to bow out on, remains to be seen. But if the Frenchman does go, Klopp would be an ideal candidate to help turn the page from the Wenger era at the North London club. His high-pressing style would also nicely suit this current crop of Arsenal players.
4. Paris Saint-Germain
Despite leading the club to last season’s Ligue 1 title, consecutive league cups and into the Champions League quarterfinals for a second season running, Laurent Blanc has never really been seen as the right manager for PSG. The Parisian club places a high premium on glamour and charisma, two qualities Blanc lacks and that Klopp possesses in spades.
Living in the City of Lights while managing the top club in France would seem like an attractive proposition for any manager. PSG could also guarantee Klopp a spot in the Champions League season in and season out, while providing him with the budget to perhaps go one better than when his Dortmund side lost the final to Bayern two years ago. Klopp would also seem to possess the necessary force of character required to motivate a dressing room full of superstars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva.
5. Liverpool
With a squad infused by youth, a passionate base of support and a quixotic tendency to take on bigger, richer clubs and beat them, Liverpool would seem like an ideal environment for Klopp’s brand of soccer to flourish. However, it’s unclear at the moment whether the Anfield outfit will be looking for a new manager any time soon.
A late-season run of good form has eased pressure on Brendan Rodgers. Securing a Champions League berth and/or winning the FA Cup would all but ensure the Northern Irishman’s job come next season. But should he fail to do either, the club’s ownership group, Fenway Sports Group, would likely see Klopp, who’s been linked with the job before, as a viable successor.
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