Spanish side Barcelona are reportedly plotting a summer move for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
According to John Richardson of the Daily Mirror, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is on the shortlist of the candidates to replace Spanish manager Luis Enrique at the helm come the start of next season.
Enrique has cut a frustrated figure at the club this season, and it has led to reports linking him with a move away from the job. In late December, he admitted that managing Barcelona is an ordeal and gave no assurances as to whether or not he would sign an extension at the end of the season.
Barcelona have not been at their prolific best this season, and have been playing catch up with Real Madrid, despite the Los Blancos having playing a game less.
A shambolic 4-0 defeat at the hands of PSG in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 further added to the Spaniard’s woes and he now appears to be under the cosh, and could be relieved of his duties should the Catalan side continue their woeful run.
It is understood that Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli is among the front runners to contest for the Barcelona job should it be available come the start of next season. The Argentian joined Sevilla at the start of this campaign after a successful stint with the Chilean national side, but could pack his bags in order to get his dream job at Camp Nou.
Sampaoli has refused to rule out a move to Barcelona and has said that he will take things as they come once the season draws to a close. Everton boss Ronald Koeman has also been doing the round in the media as the Barcelona board have reportedly put him on the shortlist as well.
That being said, it now seems that they have turned their attention to the Liverpool manager. Jurgen Klopp is regarded as one of the finest coaches in world football, and the possibility to work with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Neymar and co. will certainly an opportunity any manager would relish.
However, Klopp has recently signed a long-term extension at the club, and the chances of him leaving Liverpool are a bare minimal. He has changed the atmosphere in and around Anfield and at the start of the season it looked like he had to start to swing results in his favour.
But, due to an injury sustained by Phillipe Coutinho followed by the loss of Sadio Mane to the African Cup of Nations, Klopp has seen his team slip down the table, and put their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League in serious jeopardy.
He certainly has some unfinished business at Anfield, and it is unlikely to see him move away from Merseyside for the foreseeable future.
