Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel explains the only way Jurgen Klopp could return to management, adding that he'll turn down Real Madrid.
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Klopp reportedly wanted by Real MadridGerman currently working at Red BullBabbel suggests only way Klopp can return to dugoutFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Former Liverpool full-back Markus Babbel explained why Jurgen Klopp, who's currently the Global Head of Football at Red Bull, will turn down Real Madrid this summer and also provided his opinion on which team could change his mind regarding a potential return to management.
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“I’m not sure if Klopp will return to management again,” Babbel told Makthavare. “I can’t see him returning to Liverpool in a director’s role. I can’t see him taking the Real Madrid job if Carlo Ancelotti goes this summer and they offered him the role.
“He stopped managing because he had no energy anymore and because the pressure is so high – and the pressure at Madrid is bigger than at Liverpool! In Madrid if you lose one or two games, you are under so much pressure. You see Ancelotti right now, he’s under massive pressure after going out of the Champions League. I’m not sure if Klopp would want that. He has a perfect life now, he’s enjoying it, he has a fascinating project at Red Bull, so why would he leave to take over Real Madrid?
“I think his position at Red Bull is the perfect position for him. You work just a little bit, you’re not on the training ground every day and you get to travel around the world. This is what he wants – to be involved in a project but not as the main man. My feeling at the moment is he’s enjoying life, he looks brilliant, he’s lost kilos, he looks really smart.
“The only way I can see him returning to management is with a national team. Maybe with Germany, after Julian Nagelsmann decides to move to a new club, and if the whole of German football is begging for Klopp, maybe then he’ll take the German national team role. But I don’t see him returning to club management.”
AFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Reports from Spain last week revealed that Real Madrid were considering a shock approach for Klopp, with the expectation that Carlo Ancelotti will be leaving this summer. Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has also been touted as a potential replacement for the Italian, with a change of command expected at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of next season.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?
Ancelotti is the most successful Madrid manager of all-time, and should he leave this summer, he has the chance to do so by guiding his team to a Copa del Rey and another Liga title. Los Blancos face Barcelona in the cup final this Saturday, April 26, and are just four points behind Hansi Flick's men in the league with six games to go.
