Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool exit plan as German 'included' on Barcelona shortlist

There are few managers in world football right now who could practically walk into any job in the industry - but Jurgen Klopp is certainly one of them.

After transforming Liverpool into domestic, European and world champions, Klopp can quite literally take his pick of the roles out there - bar perhaps their rivals down the M62.

It's no real surprise, then, that the German coach continues to be linked with the Barcelona hotseat, as pressure mounts on under-fire boss Ronald Koeman amid the Spanish club's current crisis.

Barca president Joan Laporta is said to regard Klopp as his 'dream' choice to one day take charge at the Nou Camp, though any prospect of him succeeding Koeman in the near future is more than wishful thinking.

Jurgen Klopp intends to take a year-long break when he eventually leaves Liverpool ( Image:

AFP via Getty Images)

Klopp still has more than two years to run on his Liverpool contract, which expires in 2024, though he has not ruled out extending that further.

By that stage the 54-year-old will have been at the Anfield helm for almost nine full seasons.

And while El Nacional claim Barca have added Klopp's name to their shortlist of possible candidates, the Liverpool boss already has his exit plan mapped out.

Speaking only earlier this month, Klopp reiterated his stance for when his time at Liverpool comes to an end.

"It's nice that I'm asked that again and again," Klopp told RTL. "When the contract in Liverpool ends, whatever it will be, I first have to find out what it is like to lead a 'normal' life again. A year off. I've never had that. But I'm deeply relaxed there.

"When you're out for a year, it can also be a good thing that maybe no cock crows at me, which is perfectly fine. There are so many good coaches out there."

It seems Klopp will be afforded the luxury of picking when to call time on his spell at Liverpool, providing there is not a disastrous downturn in results.

He did previously go on a sabbatical after his eight-year stint at Borussia Dortmund was over, planning to take a year away from the game to recharge, only to be lured back by Liverpool's offer just a few months into his break.

But it appears unlikely he will be tempted by any such offer in the future, due to the high-pressure demands of the role.

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"What I do is unbelievable fun; I enjoy it very much," he said. "The only problem is that in my job you have no end of the day, no chance to switch off. Do I really have to have that into old age? I don't know."

Klopp may even opt to step away from club management after his Liverpool tenure, having already been touted to lead Germany's national team.

But even the opportunity to manage his country will not impact his plan, after previously declaring in 2020 he would spend "four more years in Liverpool."

Discussing his future this past August, Klopp said: "Hansi Flick's contract would have to run until 2025 for me to even be considered," Klopp said. "Nobody should call me in 2024."