Although the semi-final resurrection against Barcelona that preceded it runs it close, undoubtedly the greatest single night of Jurgen Klopp's illustrious coaching career to date came at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano on June 1st 2019. His Liverpool side had just downed Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in a tense showpiece that saw the Reds crowned Champions of Europe for the sixth time, ending a seven year trophy drought in the process. Klopp, and Liverpool, were at the peak of their powers, a dangerously synchronised combination that produced a relentless team which would go on to end the Red's 30 year wait for league glory within the following 12 months and claim every other major trophy available within another 24 (OK, 26 if you include the 2022 Community Shield...). 'Brand Klopp', too, was reaching its apex - a frenetic, high-energy manager that moulded sides in his image and thrived on sending sleeping giants with proud histories and working class roots into battle with their financial superiors, and often winning...
Flash forward just over 5 years and, whilst there's still a lot of love for the affable German, that brand has taken somewhat of a hit following the announcement of his latest career move since leaving Anfield at the end of last season. The football world reacted with widespread surprise, if not quite outright shock, when it was revealed in October that the former Mainz and Borussia Dortmund manager would be taking over as Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer from the start of 2025. This might have seemed a reasonable decision for a 57 year old coach who had already stated his intentions to step away from the intensity of the dugout and into a backroom role, allowing himself a greater focus on family life. If it wasn't for the identity of his new employers, that is...
To say that Red Bull's involvement in football is unpopular in Klopp's native Germany would be an understatement. Red Bull Leipzig, one of several global clubs financed by the international drinks conglomerate, have established a reputation as the country's "most hated club" since their rise to the Bundesliga in 2016. German football prides itself on its socialist values, the much heralded 50+1 rule ensuring that all clubs must be majority fan (or 'member') owned. Whilst RB Leipzig don't outright break these values, they tear carelessly at their spirit. These are also values that Klopp, until very recently, appeared to embody. Merely a month before his Red Bull unveiling, he made a one-off return to the dugout at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park for a testimonial match in honour of the club's departing legends Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski. Worship at Dortmund, and Klopp's other former parish Mainz, has since turned to dismay and anger in some quarters that see their former hero's latest career move as a direct snub to everything that he once stood for.
This week has seen Klopp respond to fan criticism and distance himself from the concept of any value betrayal, stating on retiring midfield maestro and compatriot Toni Kroos' podcast, "I did not want to step on anyone's toes. I love all my former clubs, but I don't know what I could have done so that everyone is happy." The German also reiterated his desire to spend time away from management, stressing "I am 57 and can still work for a few more years, but I did not see myself on the sidelines for now. It was clear for me that I would do something - so then Red Bull came."
Despite the marginal backlash in both his homeland and further afield, few would doubt Klopp's character and values beyond the nature of his future paymasters. An exciting opportunity simply presented itself and Klopp was understandably more focused on his own and his family's wellbeing than any fan opinion. Nevertheless, even if his Red Bull stint provides a welcome hiatus from the rigours of everyday management, it seems unfathomable that the 57 year old won't be tempted back into a direct coaching position at some point, perhaps even necessary if he is to quell his new band of fans-turned-sceptics.
If, or more likely when, the jovial German decides to step back into the managerial ring, there hardly seems likely to be a shortage of potential suitors at the top end of both the club and international game. Many have touted the boy from the Black Forest to take over as his nation's head coach one day and attempt to bring an end to Die Manschaaft's recent era of underachievement. England, of course, may be interested if Thomas Tuchel fails but the FA's taste for German endures. It is uncertain whether Klopp would be keen on the jump to international football, however, and if he decides to return to club management then the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona will likely form a (dis)orderly queue.
Klopp's astounding work at each of his 3 previous clubs has seen him develop one of the most formidable and lucrative CV's in the coaching business. His profile across European football is almost unmatched. When viewed more closely, however, his speciality can be easily identified - an uncanny ability to take charge of a proud but bedraggled institution, re-energise it with belief, purpose and passion and create a juggernaut. This unique formula has resulted in league titles and European trophies stolen from under the noses of clubs with much greater financial resources than those available to him. With this in mind, perhaps the most suitable destination for a grand final chapter to Klopp's sensational career, and a chance to disprove those who believe he's forgotten his roots, is the scene of his greatest triumph to date...
As Klopp embarks on a new era at Red Bull, the inhabitants at the Wanda Metropolitano are coming to the slow realisation that they may be approaching the end of their own glorious one. The Diego Simeone years have been kind to Atletico Madrid. Since the fiery Argentine took to the dugout at what was then the Vincente Calderon in December 2011 (the club moved to the Metropolitano in 2017), Atleti supporters have enjoyed 2 league titles, 2 Champions League finals and various other silverware across what must rank as one of the most successful periods in the club's history. Simeone, another instantly recognisable name, has transformed Atletico from an exciting but erratic outfit into consistently at least the third best side in Spain, a constant thorn in the side of the El Clasico supergiants and a team with a distinct and irrepressible identity.
Familiarity breeds contempt, however, and if gaping cracks in the Argentine's 13 year old regime aren't exactly appearing, things may be starting to fray around the edges. Whilst Atletico's start in La Liga this campaign has been fairly solid, their first loss coming only after an unbeaten opening 10 games containing 5 wins and 5 draws, the Champions League has been a disaster, featuring multiple goal defeats to Benfica (4-0) and Lille (1-3). More generally, there is a sense that Simeone's current side is growing stale, far from their latest La Liga winning vintage of just 4 campaigns ago. Atletico must be wary of an Arsene Wenger type situation where the impact of a once groundbreaking coach diminishes into simply trying to qualify for Europe each year. Either club or coach must eventually come to a decision on how best to move forward and whilst a Simeone departure doesn't seem imminent, it would be no surprise if he stuck around just about long enough to see a time when Klopp starts to get twitchy fingers at Red Bull...
Were the German to one day find himself in the frame for the Atletico job, not only would he surely be one of, if not THE, leading candidate, he would likely also be extremely intrigued by the prospect of the club he saw staring back at him. Atletico Madrid is to Spain what Borussia Dortmund is to Germany and (at least from a financial and cultural perspective) Liverpool to England - a proud club with a rich, successful history, a passionate, partisan fanbase and a refusal to be defined by the undeniable financial bridge between themselves and the country's most well monied clubs. Quite simply, Klopp would be at home within the Metropolitano, and amongst its fervent supporters, from the moment he stepped through the door. A natural successor to Simeone, someone with the character and charisma to re-energise the club, build a new distinctive playing style and make Atleti feared across Europe once again.
In terms of the wider perspective - Klopp in La Liga, really? It's not as crazy as it sounds... Pitching himself at Atletico would offer the German a similar challenge to the ones he faced at Dortmund, where he made his name overcoming the might of Bayern Munich, beating the Bavarians to 2 successive Bundesliga titles and a German Cup, and Liverpool, rejuvenating a tired, forlorn outfit into a heavy metal menace capable of snatching Premier and Champions League titles from financial behemoths Manchester City. Klopp would surely relish the chance to take on a new league and play David to the El Clasico Goliaths - he already has history with both, leaving his calling card with Barcelona following Liverpool's 2019 rise from the ashes and also knocking Real Madrid out of a Champions League semi final with Dortmund 6 years earlier, although the Germans' more recent encounters with the other side from the Spanish capital haven't gone as well... Then, there's the tactical element to consider - how would Klopp's agressive gegenpressing fare within the traditionally slow paced, technically focused surrounds of La Liga? It would surely be an interesting clash...
More importantly for Klopp, taking the reins at the Metropolitano would provide him with the ultimate opportunity to seal his legacy as a true coaching great, and repair it in the eyes of those who believe it to be damaged in light of recent events. If it went well, he could create a dynasty in a third different country. If not, he has plenty of credit still to fall back on, but it's hard to see that being the case. The underdog, fighting spirit in evidence at Atleti, partly fostered by Simeone but also inherent to the club's support, could hardly be a greater antithesis to the streamlined, corporate nature of Red Bull, or the regal, entitled image of the club's neighbours from the Bernabeu, who just this week threw their toys out of the pram when it was announced that Rodri had pipped their star winger Vinicius Junior to this years Ballon D'or prize.
Atletico Madrid brands itself as a club of the people. Klopp undoubtedly still sees himself as a manager of the people. Few, even after his latest career move, would doubt that this is the case, but if the German is to silence his newfound critics and prove once and for all his greatness as a coach, what better place to do it than in Madrid, inspiring another underdog story from under the shadows of his old Real rivals and Barcelona beyond. Klopp's greatest moments at the Metropolitano may not yet be consigned to the past...
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