Everyone is a fan of Jurgen Klopp. His charisma, iconic goal celebrations, compassion, and passion for the sport are unmatched. Even Manchester City and Manchester United fans like Klopp. He is just a likeable kind of guy. And he knows how to get results.
Klopp’s announcement to leave Liverpool was shocking, breaking the hearts of hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of people in one 24-minute video. It was so unexpected, and nobody believed he would be out of the game for good — he did not actually say that in the video. He only said he was too tired to continue at Liverpool.
This German tactician, who turned Liverpool into a great team during the nearly nine years of his reign, has bid his final goodbyes at Anfield. But fans and pundits are asking: What will he do next? Will it be the rumoured move to the German national team or Real Madrid? Read on to find out.
Klopp’s Legacy at Liverpool
The influence of Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool has been so massive as to defy description. Having joined Anfield in October 2015, Klopp quickly became popular with the Anfield crowd. In his first full season, Liverpool ended up fourth and reached the Europa League finals. That meant they played in their second UEFA Champions League in two years after missing out on one for two seasons running.
The German tactician then led them to their sixth European Cup success in 2018/19, which led to other successes, like their maiden Premier League title. And we have not even talked about the League Cups and an FA Cup. His tenure cemented him as a legend across Merseyside and across the globe.
The Case for Real Madrid
In many reports about Klopp’s future position as a coach, the name of Real Madrid is often mentioned. And Real Madrid would definitely say yes. There are also talks about Xabi Alonso — a former Real Madrid player — taking over after Carlo Ancelotti.
Although Carlo Ancelotti’s contract is until 2026, there have been rumours that Klopp might succeed him. And Real Madrid are a massive club with a rich past and financial strength — what a team to retire with. And thanks to its immediate result policy, it fits perfectly with Klopp’s uncompromising nature.
However, there are apprehensions over whether or not the lack of patience exhibited by managers at the club would accommodate an illogical way of rebuilding their policy, according to Ryan Babel, a former Liverpool player. Ryan Babel even said that Real Madrid may not deserve Klopp since they often do not give managers enough time to fully implement their ideas.
Klopp’s Pursuit of Success – Following the Social Sportsbook Example
There is a culture of undying success at Los Blancos. If they do not win titles every season, it is a failure. Sports betting odds are a great way to view them: while they are likely willing to accept that they won’t always be out-and-out favourites – it is impossible to sustain a truly number-one squad year-on-year, even if you are Real Madrid – they will always want to be in the top three, and top four at a push, for the UEFA Champions League, the true marker of the who’s who of European football.
But while the culture can stay the same, the way to be there can change – and, again, sports betting can be a good example. The traditional model of sports books that use fiat currencies to place wagers and assess odds is being challenged by social sportsbooks, of which Sportzino social sportsbook serves as an example. Social sportsbooks offer punters the opportunity to exchange their dollars for virtual currencies and use those to wager. It follows recent crypto trends – in fact, you can use crypto to buy these platforms’ virtual currencies.
What it does, fundamentally, is create a new niche and a new way to engage audiences. Heading over to Sportzino, people will notice how familiar it feels to other sites, despite how new it is – underlying the importance of sticking close to what is traditional but pushing things in a new direction.
Success does not come in one way. Klopp knows this best, and if anyone can get the best out of a squad that is not number one in Europe, it is him. While it looks like he has replicated the pillars of his success across the three teams he has managed – a slow-burn pursuit of squad overhaul to silverware – he has come to that success using different tactics and different methods of building squads. Football is a chaotic sport. He controls what he can and adapts accordingly.
The German National Team
Perhaps the likeliest destination for Klopp would be the German national team. He has been tipped by bookmakers as the front-runner here because of the recent struggles of the national team and potentially after this summer’s European Championships. Being in charge of Germany would mean having fewer fixtures than managing club sides, offering respite from the rigours while still being connected with soccer.
But it would enable him to bring his charismatic leadership and tactical skills to rejuvenate a side needing change. And there’s Klopp’s allegiance to his country, which might make it an appropriate endnote for his career.
Could Barcelona or Bayern Munich Tempt Klopp?
Barcelona and Bayern Munich are among the top clubs that can attract Jurgen Klopp after Real Madrid. Barcelona, despite their financial problems, remain one of Europe’s super-clubs. Perhaps it requires someone like Klopp, who has miraculously worked on small budgets and failing teams in the past, to deal with their current challenges. His attacking brand of football will resonate better with Barcelona’s style of play.
For Bayern Munich, however, he would simply return home again. Even though they have seemingly sorted out their managerial position following Hansi Flick’s appointment, Bayern will always call if he wants to return to his humble beginnings. However, both clubs would require significant adjustments from Klopp to fit into their unique cultures and expectations.
The Dark Horses: England and The USA National Teams
Less likely but still intriguing options would be the national teams of England and the USA. Klopp’s enigmatic character will make him a perfect match for the English national team, especially with Gareth Southgate stepping down. By calling on Klopp’s experience and vision, the USMNT could potentially become more competitive internationally, given their progress in global soccer lately. In both cases, it will be a totally different kind of challenge for Klopp.
Klopp’s Future
With his tenure with Liverpool ending, Jurgen Klopp wants to take a year off work; this may slow down any immediate appointments from occurring. This break will give him time to think about what he wants to do next while also giving him some rest. According to former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel, Klopp might actually shock everybody with his next destination.
Whether he goes to another big European club, takes over a national team, or does something that surprises us all, there is no end to speculation about where he’ll go next. The decision by Klopp will probably hinge on what each role offers in terms of challenges and opportunities – surely it will be Madrid. They’re Europe’s version of Liverpool.
