Barcelona chiefs 'convinced' they can land Jurgen Klopp - but face Arteta repeat

30 January 2024 , 11:44

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Barcelona want Jurgen Klopp as succeed Xavi Hernandez in the summer (Image: Michael Regan/The FA)

Barcelona executives believe they can convince Jurgen Klopp to scrap his plans for a sabbatical and instead succeed Xavi Hernandez this summer.

The Liverpool manager, 56, sent shockwaves through Anfield on Friday when he revealed he would be standing down from his role at the end of the current campaign - just days before Xavi made a similar announcement in Spain.

Klopp, who has been at Liverpool for over eight years, has long insisted that he planned to take a year-long break after leaving the Reds. He even alluded to such plans during his exit interview, where he said he was "running out of energy".

That hasn't deterred Barcelona from identifying Klopp as their top target to replace Xavi, though, according to a new report from Sport. And the Spanish giants are apparently quietly confident that they can persuade the outgoing Liverpool chief to jump straight back into management at the Nou Camp.

However, Barcelona have already been linked with an audacious move for Mikel Arteta since Xavi confirmed plans to quit the club. The Arsenal manager has emphatically shot down claims that he could return to Spain, citing such talk as "untrue".

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And if they're indeed keen on Klopp, then the Catalan outfit could be set for another blunt rebuttal, given the German's stance on recharging his batteries away from football.

Speaking just hours after announcing his plans to quit on Friday, Klopp insisted: "No club, no country for the next year. No other English club ever. Even if I have nothing to eat, it will not happen."

Join the debate! Do you think Klopp could join Barcelona in the summer? Let us know here.

Mikel Arteta responded to rumours insisting he's not returning to Catalunya (Getty Images)

Klopp has also emerged as a target for the German national team, with DFB vice-president Ronny Zimmermann citing the Liverpool chief while talking about plans for the future. Current boss Julian Nagelsmann's contract expires shortly after Euro 2024.

Zimmermann said: “I don’t think we need to talk about the fact that Jurgen Klopp is a brilliant coach. We also don’t have to talk about the fact that he could also be a candidate for national coach.

“But the time for making wishes like these was Christmas. After the European Championships we will talk about the national coach and not about what we might wish for.

"But I could well live with Jurgen Klopp, like many others I think.”

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Dan Marsh