Franz Beckenbauer Says Jurgen Klopp Could Replace Pep Guardiola At Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has claimed that outgoing Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp could manage the Bundesliga champions once Pep Guardiola leaves the club. Guardiola’s contract with Bayern ends after the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, and it is unclear if the Spaniard will extend his contract in Germany.

The German champions seem keen to extend Guardiola’s, but he might be interested in managing elsewhere. He stayed only four seasons at Barcelona despite winning 14 trophies with the Catalan club and took a sabbatical before joining Bayern. He has been linked with a move to Manchester City when his contract with Bayern ends.

“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,” Beckenbauer told Sky Sports Germany.

Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, has been the manager of Borussia Dortmund since 2008 and won his first trophy in the 2008-09 season as Dortmund beat Bayern in the T-Home Supercup. He also led Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga titles in 2010-11 and 2011-12, along with the 2012 DFB-Pokal. The team also reached the finals of the 2012-13 Champions League, so he certainly has the credentials to replace Guardiola at Bayern.

The current season, however, has been a poor one for Dortmund who were at the bottom of the table at the time of the winter break in December, with relegation a real possibility. They have turned things around to an extent and now lie in eighth position in the table, three points off a spot in the Europa League. Klopp, however, has already announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season having claimed that he does not feel he is the right person to lead the club anymore.

“I couldn’t care less what is said about me,” Klopp told the Guardian when informed about Bayern’s interest in him. Having shared a passionate history with Dortmund players and its fans, it’s extremely unlikely he’ll be moving to their rivals anytime soon.

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