Jurgen Klopp has been widely recognized as one of the best coaches in the world, having won two Bundesligas with Borussia Dortmund and leading the yellow-and-black side to a UEFA Champions League final. After he stated yesterday his decision to step down as Dortmund's head honcho, experts are wondering where will he end up next season. Klopp has already stated he doesn't want to take a year off (like Pep Guardiola), and considering his need of new challenges, we made a thorough analisys to determine where the German boss might be able to continue his career. Here's a list of Klopp's possible destinations.
Premier League: Manchester City seems to be his only top-club option
Even though he stated that he did not share The Citizens' policy of hiring top players for big money, apparently this would be the only top club willing to hire the German manager. With Manuel Pellegrini's job under serious danger, the option to bring Klopp to coach the Sky Blues would provide them with a different kind of coaching, since Pellegrini's style is rather soft-handed. Previous options like Chelsea and Manchester United are rather unlikely to sack their current coaches, since they are still in contention for the EPL title. Another option before the year 2015 started was Arsenal, but the Gunners' current form under Wenger would not be a wise move for the Emirates Stadium owners to perform. Previously, Klopp revealed the Premier League was the best option for him. "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," the manager stated.
Klopp greets Joe Hart after the 2012-2013 Champions League game between Dortmund & Manchester City.
La Liga: Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only clubs capable of paying his salary
The two Spanish giants, still fighting for a spot in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, and with an ongoing feud to determine this year's La Liga winner, could be targetting Klopp for different reasons. First, a trophy-less season for Los Blancos would mean the end of Carlo Ancelotti's term as Real Madrid's coach. Klopp has been linked with Florentino Perez's team for some time, and his name was one of the many options Real Madrid's president had when he intended to replace Jose Mourinho -after a trophy-less season- back in 2013. The only problem Klopp would have is a Merengue legend: Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman is being groomed by Florentino to take over when Ancelotti's days with the club are over, and having along-term project like that ended to bring Klopp doesn't seem like the right move, although it would fit Los Blancos' way of doing things.
Klopp thanks fans at Santiago Bernabeu following Dortmund's performance against Los Blancos.
The other Spanish option for Klopp would be Barcelona. Apparently, all three presidential candidates to take over Los Blaugranas' top office have contacted Klopp to be their manager. In fact, sources indicate candidate Joan Laporta has already reached an agreement with the German boss to oust Luis Enrique as the MSN's coach. The main issue with this option is that Barcelona is still gunning to get the treble, and some portions of Barcelona's officers would not be pleased by such a decision.
Ligue 1: PSG, a team that would suit his needs
Les Parisiens options of making it to the Champions League semi-finals seem rather unlikely after their 3-1 loss against Barcelona, and Laurent Blanc doesn't enjoy much of the fans' praise due to his coaching style and his regular media approach. Klopp understands how to handle the press, being able to impose his personality to get out of tricky questions. Furthermore, his relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic is rather good, recalling that Ballon D'Or episode in which both "joked" about working together. Perhaps Klopp's arrival to the French capital city could motivate "Ibra" to extend his contract with the team, and forget about all the rumors placing him in the MLS.
"When will you take me to Dortmund?" Zlatan asked Klopp...Well, it might end up being the other way around.
Serie A: AC Milan snatching him to regain their previous glory?
Serie A would be one more option for Klopp to continue his career, considering there are some top teams trying to shake things up out there. First on the list would be AC Milan, whose coach Pippo Inzaghi will certainly have to leave this job when the season ends. Klopp's prospects of rebuilding a team that touched the sky years ago could resemble his antics with Dortmund, but the Rossoneri are currently in such a chaotic situation that it appears to be a suicidal move for anyone who takes the job. Their almost certain lack of European football next season could be another setback for Klopp to join Silvio Berlusconi's team. Other top choices would be Roma and Inter, but the Neroazzurri seem to be getting Roberto Mancini's concepts better, and another change of coach would not be in their plans. Roma, on the other hand, could be ready to part ways with Rudi Garcia, after their Champions League season ended in the Group stages, and with the team performing in a disappointing manner this year.
Klopp was highly praised by his soon-to-be ex-players, such as Mats Hummels and Nuri Sahin, who posted thank you notes for the German manager via their social media accounts. In addition, Klopp spoke about how the team reacted to the news, since we was seen by some as a father figure.
