Jurgen Klopp 'prefers Real Madrid, Barcelona over Germany job'

The 56-year-old will stand down as Liverpool boss this summer and is expected to take a 12-month break before returning to the game, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding his next move.

Widespread reports have claimed that Klopp is planning to take charge of the German national side, but according to Football Insider, he is not currently interested in the position.

Klopp allegedly has fears over his country's ability to win tournaments in the near future, and he is instead planning to return to management in La Liga with either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

The German started his coaching career with Mainz 08 in 2001, spending seven years with the club ahead of a switch to Borussia Dortmund.

Klopp spent another seven years with Dortmund, winning two Bundesliga titles, the German Cup and famously reaching the Champions League final in 2012-13.

He has also enjoyed huge success at Liverpool, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

The Reds are chasing four more trophies this season, with the Merseyside outfit active in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League, while they will take on Chelsea in the EFL Cup final on February 28.

Barcelona will appoint a new manager this summer, with Xavi standing down as head coach, having claimed that the club needs a "change of direction".

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, with the Italian recently handed a new contract until June 2026, so it remains to be seen whether either job will be available next summer.

Ancelotti is looking to deliver success in La Liga and the Champions League this season, while Barcelona can also still win trophies in the two competitions.

Xavi's side are third in the La Liga table, though, 10 points behind the leaders Real Madrid, while they will head to Napoli next week for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, recorded a 1-0 victory over RB Leipzig in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League contest last week.