Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is being considered as an option to replace Xavi Hernandez as Barcelona head coach, according to reports in Spain.
The iconic Spanish midfielder joined the Reds boss this week in announcing that he will be stepping down from his position with the La Liga giants at the end of the season. Klopp revealed on Friday that he will not continue in the Anfield hot-seat at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on nine momentous years with the club.
Xavi took over at Barcelona in 2021 following a spell in Qatar as manager of Al Sadd. He guided the club to the Spanish title in his first full season but they find themselves 10 points behind leaders Real Madrid following a recent 5-3 home defeat against Villarreal.
Reports in Spain have suggested that Klopp is being considered as the next manager to take over in Catalonia. However, the German has already said he will be moving away from the relentless pressures of football for at least one year.
No club or country for the next year, no other English club ever, I promise that – even if I have nothing to eat. That will not happen as well, by the way, thanks to Liverpool,” he told reporters during Friday’s press conference.
Despite that, the 56-year-old is second-favourite to become the new manager of the Spanish giants, behind Jose Mourinho (4/1) as bookmakers SkyBet tout him as a 5/1 contender. Roberto De Zerbi, Xabi Alonso and Julian Nagelsmann are also named in the running.
The search for the next Liverpool manager has many tipping Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso to succeed Klopp. The former Reds midfielder, who won the Champions League and FA Cup during his playing career at Anfield, has led the German club to the top of the Bundesliga as they threaten Bayern Munich’s stranglehold.
Brighton & Hove Albion manager De Zerbi has also been mooted as a candidate, as well as Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim. Alonso remains the favourite (2/5), according to Sky Bet, ahead of De Zerbi (6/1) and Klopp’s right-hand man Pep Lijnders (8/1) – who will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Xavi is also named as an option but the bookmakers have him as an outsider at 16/1.
