Franz Beckenbauer has said Jürgen Klopp could succeed Pep Guardiola as the coach of Bayern Munich.
The club’s former defender and honorary president told Sky Germany: “Of course I could imagine Klopp as Guardiola’s successor. When I was president, we often talked about Klopp and believe he would fit very well at Bayern.
“Klopp is definitely an option at Bayern. The question is, how long Guardiola will be in Munich. I hope for a long time, but Klopp would be considered.”
Klopp appeared somewhat underwhelmed by Bayern’s interest: “I couldn’t care less what is said about me.”
Bayern are keen to extend Guardiola’s contract beyond its three-year expiry date in 2016. The Spaniard is the No1 choice for Manchester City should they remove Manuel Pellegrini and there had been speculation they might hire a stop-gap for a year while they wait for Guardiola to see out his contract with Bayern,.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the Bayern chief executive, said contract extension talks would take place in the second half of the year following the end of the season, and it may be that Beckenbauer’s comments are designed to put pressure on Guardiola to sign.
“I can’t imagine Guardiola would leave in 2016,” Beckenbauer said. “He likes Munich. He has had success with the team and he knows that he can succeed in the future. He has everything he wants.”
Klopp will become a free agent in the summer when he leaves Borussia Dortmund after seven years in which he has led them to two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final.
His side face Bayern, who won the league title at the weekend, in the semi-finals of the German cup on Tuesday night. Bayern also face Guardiola’s old side Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals as they press for the treble.
“Klopp announcing his resignation gives Dortmund additional motivation,” Beckenbauer said. “They want to give him something to wave goodbye and this can only be the trophy.”
