Ralf Rangnick has revealed he recommended Jurgen Klopp to Barcelona while helping Joan Laporta find a modern coach.
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Rangnick met Laporta in 2021 to discuss sporting directionHe suggested Hansi Flick, Klopp & othersBarca were seeking a modern coach for a youth-driven teamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Austria manager Rangnick shared that he was consulted by Barcelona’s board in 2021 when the club was looking for a new sporting director and coach. During his meetings with Laporta and Rafael Yuste, he recommended several modern coaches including Flick and Klopp to suit the club’s young squad and playing philosophy.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The Catalan giants were navigating a rebuilding phase with a focus on youth and needed a manager aligned with that vision. Rangnick's Red Bull experience and emphasis on development caught Laporta's attention. Although Klopp was not hired, his name was part of the conversation, showing the high standards Barcelona were aiming for.
WHAT RALF RANGNICK SAID
In a recent interview with Ragnick said: “I told Laporta that if you want to work with young players, you have to trust them, let them play like young wolves. I mentioned Hansi Flick and maybe Klopp as well. Laporta must have remembered Flick, and that’s how he ended up with the job.”
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
With Flick now in charge at Barcelona, the pressure is on to implement a system that nurtures youth while delivering results. Rangnick’s influence may not end here, as the club could return to his ideas if they continue to reshape their sporting project under Laporta’s leadership.
