Jurgen Klopp Joining AS Roma Would Boost All Italian Football

As the 2024/25 season comes to an end and clubs begin to turn their attention to summer changes, one news story this week stood out as Jurgen Klopp was linked with a move to AS Roma.

According to Italian newspaper La Stampa, the former Liverpool boss has agreed to take over from Claudio Ranieri who will be moving into a directorial role once the current campaign is over.

This past weekend saw Ranieri given an emotional send-off by Roma supporters before, during and after his final home game as manager amid scenes similar to those seen at Anfield last year.

Jurgen Klopp makes transfer suggestions
Now, according to that same report from Enrico Testa, Klopp is so keen to get back into coaching that he was making Roma aware of what he expected in terms of improvements to their current squad.

Singling out three key areas that he believes immediately need reinforcements, the German boss reportedly wants three starters and three back-ups in central defence, right wing and attack.

However, Tuesday morning seemingly saw Klopp’s representative seek to quash the rumours. In a short statement given to gambling website winwin.com, agent Marc Kosicke simply said “this news is not true.”

How Jurgen Klopp could transform Serie A
Yet that does not prevent Roma supporters – or the Serie A fanbase in general – from wondering just what such a move could do for both the Giallorossi and the wider world of Italian football.

Klopp’s accolades speak for themselves. From promotion with Mainz 05, winning the Bundesliga twice and reaching the UEFA Champions League Final with Borussia Dortmund and then transforming Liverpool, success has followed the 57-year-old at every turn.

His high-energy and demand for relentless effort has lifted every group he has led, raising standards across the board both on and off the pitch. Klopp’s man-management even extends beyond the playing squad and staff, forging a deep connection with supporters on Dortmund’s ‘Yellow Wall’ and Anfield’s Kop alike.

Harnessing the power of those passionate fanbases, he made it his mission “to turn doubters into believers.” Yet arguably his greatest achievement was to raise the bar of the entire Premier League, pushing rivals like Manchester City to new heights in order for Pep Guardiola’s men to finish above Liverpool.

That kind of elevation is exactly what Serie A needs. Yes, Inter have reached the Champions League Final this year and Antonio Conte’s Napoli are pushing for a domestic title, but the overall standard of the league has undoubtedly slipped.

Juventus are lurching from one coach to the next with no real vision for the future, while the once-mighty AC Milan will miss out on Europe altogether next season and the likes of Fiorentina, Torino and Parma – all having won major trophies in the past – are shadows of their former selves.

Indeed, outside of Gian Piero Gasperini’s irrepressible Atalanta, it is difficult to see any other Italian club playing good football and making intelligent, well-thought out decisions off the pitch.

Forcing them to compete with a manager of Klopp’s standard and stature would push those traditionally great clubs to rethink their approach, to empower

The impact of a Coach as transformative as Jurgen Klopp could not only make AS Roma a genuine force, but could prove to be a rising tide that raises all boats on the Italian football landscape.

Forbes.com