Jurgen Klopp at Barcelona?! Ralf Rangnick reveals he recommended ex-Liverpool boss to Spanish giants and opens up on role in Hansi Flick's arrival

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.

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.

In a recent interview with SPORT, 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.”

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.