Romano reveals the truth behind the Klopp to Barcelona links

There is absolutely nothing to the reports linking Jurgen Klopp to the Barcelona job, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Barcelona head coach Xavi announced their departures from their respective clubs merely a day apart last week, sending shockwaves across the world of football. Two of Europe’s biggest clubs will, therefore, be in need of a new coach at the end of the season.

Unsurprisingly, then, speculation about who could come in to replace them has abounded. While the candidates to potentially replace Klopp at Liverpool are quite obvious, with former Red Xabi Alonso appearing to be the frontrunner, followed by Brighton chief Roberto de Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann, Barcelona’s options seem much more limited.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that there is nothing to the reports coming out of Spain linking Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta with the Blaugrana job, which the Spaniard himself has since confirmed. But what about Klopp? The German has also been associated with the Catalans and Fabrizio Romano has now revealed the truth behind the rumours.

Klopp to Barca unlikely

“We’re inevitably seeing links with Barcelona now after Xavi also announced he was leaving his job there, but there is nothing ongoing now,” Romano told CaughtOffside. “It’s still all very early and fresh, Barca will take their time to decide, it’s not going to be decided in some days…step by step.

“Klopp has been very clear that he wants to stop for one season so I think it would be more than complicated for Barca or anyone else to hire him for next season. As of today, my understanding is there’s nothing going on on that front.”

Indeed, it also appears an almost impossible operation from a financial point of view. The cash-strapped Catalans likely couldn’t even afford to hire the 56-year-old, who is one of the world’s best-paid coaches at Liverpool.