It wasn’t long when Jurgen Klopp was considered a serious managerial candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa for the 2026/27 campaign.
The German’s name was often sounded out throughout the presidential campaigns for the summer election. But Klopp did not want to leave Red Bull at the time, with Real Madrid ending up appointing Jose Mourinho.
Three months into the new season, Klopp has taken up the role of the head coach for the German national team and it appears the former Liverpool manager has already taken sides.
Klopp is ‘probably’ supporting Barcelona in El Clasico
Heading into this weekend’s Clasico, Klopp was asked which team he will be rooting for.
Klopp was linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer. (Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images)
In response, the German made no secret of his love for the fixture, admitting it is one he simply cannot ignore. “It’s a game I love to watch,” he told DAZN (h/t AS).
While he initially tried to remain impartial, Klopp ultimately conceded that his allegiance this weekend would lie with the side in the better form.
“Today I’m supporting whoever is the better team. And as things stand, that team is probably Barcelona,” he added.
A Barcelona leaning rooted in the past
Klopp will keep a close eye on the Clasico. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
The former Liverpool boss went on to explain that there was a time when he used to wholeheartedly support Barcelona over Real Madrid.
“In the past, I was more of a Barcelona fan because I hated it when Pepe and the other defenders would rough up everything in their path back then. That was the only reason I supported Barcelona more,” he explained.
Given Klopp’s past of managing clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, both of which are community driven, his liking for Barcelona is perhaps not that surprising.
This weekend, though, the German will be caring less about a Barcelona win and more about how German players perform on the night, with Karim Adeyemi emerging as one of the players who could potentially make a difference as a late substitute.