What Jurgen Klopp Would Bring to Real Madrid Next Season

This week began under interesting circumstances for Jurgen Klopp and Borussia Dortmund, as the departing manager was linked with a move to none other than soon-to-be-deposed European champions Real Madrid.

Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague revealed on Sunday that Los Blancos have shortlisted a number of managers to replace Carlo Ancelotti, including the current Dortmund coach. 

"Real have spoken to Julen Lopetegui at Porto, to Jurgen Klopp, to Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho," said the Spanish journalist (h/t Daily Star).

"Klopp isn’t an automatic yes for the job, and it may be a little bit too early for Zinedine Zidane."

The German coach has kept his cards close to his chest but admitted in November, reported by the Press Association (h/t the Guardian), that he would almost certainly be limited to an English club, having no Spanish or Italian language skills.

Yet, what if Klopp did take the plunge and picked up the reins from Ancelotti this summer. Would he bring anything new to Madrid?

The key reason behind Klopp's status as a world-class manager has and always will be the manner in which he can build players up and make them run through brick walls for him.

From Mainz to Dortmund and perhaps now to Madrid, Klopp goes in to every club and ensures a mutual respect is earned and maintained between the manager and the squad. 

This will come as a welcome change for most fans of the Spanish capital club. Although Cristiano Ronaldo and co. undoubtedly respect Ancelotti for what he is—a distinguished manager who has proved himself time and time again—it's clear that at times this season, they simply haven't had enough motivation. 

Whether that's a fault on the Italian coach's behalf or just an inevitable side effect of having a squad full of superstars, no manager in the European game outside of Atletico Madrid is better qualified to get star footballers running themselves into the ground for him.

Another side to Klopp's coaching style that may suit Madrid is the very simple manner in which he sets up his teams.

Paul White/Associated Press

Unlike Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and perhaps even Manuel Pellegrini, Klopp rarely attempts to plug round holes with square pegs, and he almost exclusively sticks to a very standard 4-2-3-1 formation. 

This may well be exactly what Madrid need next season. There's no doubt the side possesses all the talent to win any competition on the planet, yet some odd tactics and formations have, at times, got in the way of such success.

The introduction of Sergio Ramos to the centre of midfield during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Juventus raised a few eyebrows and has since gone down as one of the key factors behind Madrid's demise in that competition this season.

So much so that Ancelotti was forced to come to his defender-turned-midfielder's defence following the first leg—as reported by Sky Sports on May 6—stating that the team as a whole made mistakes in the game, not just Ramos. 

Similarly, the use of Toni Kroos as a holding midfielder is one of constant frustration to fans of the Germany national team and possibly to the player as well, considering how much better he tends to play as a natural No. 10.

Although there's no suggestion Klopp would have been able to mastermind a victory over Juventus or get more out of Kroos, one can imagine the current Dortmund coach would have simply drafted in a player such as Sami Khedira at defensive midfield and allowed his players to play their natural game. 

It's this reluctance to overcomplicate things that could well make the German coach indispensable in a sport full of managers who try their very best to stay inventive and innovative with each passing season. Madrid don't really need a master tactician. They need a coach who can pick a simple tactic and push the players on to the best of their ability.

Madrid may also seek a coach who can confidently bring through some of the younger players in the squad while also promoting youth directly from Real Madrid Castilla. This is an area in which Klopp has proved himself.

The manner in which Klopp brought through the likes of Mario Gotze, Marcel Schmelzer and Kevin Grosskreutz from Dortmund's youth sides, while also signing Shinji Kagawa, Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels at young, untested ages and blooding them into the world stars they are today, would undoubtedly be handy at the Spanish giants.

Madrid aren't exactly famous for the manner in which they utilise their youth players, but with talents such as Jese, Isco, James Rodriguez, Dani Carvajal and Raphael Varane all 23 years old or younger, this club certainly needs a manager to deal with and integrate young players. 

Although Klopp may not be a likely candidate for the 10-times European champions—and may not take up the job if it was offered—he would unquestionably bring something to the club.

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