Leading Liverpool to the Champions League final, and a 3-1 defeat to Real last Saturday, won’t have done any harm to Klopp’s chances of joining the Spanish giants. But whether the easy-going, fan-hugging German fits the bill at Europe’s most successful club remains to be seen.
In coaching terms Klopp’s CV stands up to scrutiny: tactics, man management and unfettered enthusiasm for the game and his players are among his biggest attributes. But the 50-year-old’s rate of success is less impressive.
Klopp led Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2013, only to suffer defeat to Bayern Munich. Three other runner-up places grace Klopp’s CV, including the English League Cup (2016), the Europa League (2016) and this season’s Champions League.