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After a disappointing season with RB Leipzig, where the team missed out on European competition for the first time since its rise, speculation is mounting over Jürgen Klopp’s future. While many expected Klopp to remain focused on rebuilding the Red Bull football empire, an unexpected report from Italy hints at a stunning twist.
At the beginning of the year, Klopp took on a new challenge, aiming to transform Red Bull’s global football operations. However, his tenure at RB Leipzig—Red Bull’s flagship club in Germany—has stumbled. The team fell well short of its high expectations, ending the season without qualifying for any European tournaments. The result: a major shakeup looms in Leipzig, with Klopp left managing a footballing crisis.
Now, fresh rumors out of Italy suggest that Klopp may not be part of Leipzig’s rebuild after all. Instead, he might be plotting a dramatic return to coaching—this time at AS Roma.
According to La Stampa, one of Italy’s leading daily newspapers, a deal with Klopp has already been struck. The headline boldly declared: “Roma, habemus mister”—a nod to the Latin phrase “Habemus papam” used to announce a new pope. The report claims that Klopp gave his verbal agreement to Roma president Dan Friedkin on Sunday night at precisely 10:57 PM. Friedkin, a billionaire and owner of the Friedkin Group, is reportedly leading the charge to bring the German coach to the Eternal City.
AS Roma is currently fifth in Serie A, still fighting for a Champions League spot heading into the final matchday. But significant changes are expected this summer—not only on the touchline but also within the squad. Veteran defender and former World Cup champion Mats Hummels is already set to retire. The future of current coach Claudio Ranieri remains uncertain, though some media outlets suggest he could transition into a senior advisory role at the club.
Should Klopp actually return to a coaching role, it would cast doubt on his involvement in Red Bull’s long-term plans. Managing a team full-time is a demanding job, and holding dual roles seems highly unrealistic. At Roma, Klopp would be stepping into a well-funded environment, not unlike his previous stints at Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
Still, a move to Roma would contradict Klopp’s own statements from earlier this year. After parting ways with Liverpool in the summer, he made it clear he was taking a break from coaching and had no plans to manage again. While the allure of a new challenge could be tempting, many in the football world remain skeptical.
