Sensational rumor from Italy: Will Jürgen Klopp make a surprise comeback as coach?

Having played their worst season since promotion and failed to qualify for Europe for the first time, Red Bull Football boss Jürgen Klopp has a lot of work to do at RB Leipzig. Or does he? A completely surprising, concrete rumor is now emerging from Italy.

At the beginning of the year, Jürgen Klopp set out to successfully shake up the football world of the Red Bull empire. But at least at the flagship club in Saxony, the plan has failed for now. RB Leipzig has had a disastrous season, considering its own enormous ambitions, and failed to qualify for all European competitions. Klopp is left with a shambles, and the club is facing a rebuild.

But perhaps without the flamboyant figurehead, who didn't make many friends by joining the empire. Rumors are popping up out of nowhere in Italy that could shake up the Austrian giant's football division. Klopp is apparently about to return to the coaching bench. But not at a Red Bull subsidiary, but at the storied club AS Roma.

La Stampa, one of the best-known and most widely read Italian dailies, is taking a long view: According to the newspaper, an agreement with Klopp has already been reached. Claudio Ranieri's intended move to the German coach is the result of a decision that has been maturing for some time. According to La Stampa, Klopp is said to have already submitted his acceptance to Roma boss Dan Friedkin on Sunday evening at 10:57 p.m. Friedkin is the billionaire owner of the corporate group of the same name.

The Romans are in fifth place heading into the final matchday of the season and are still fighting for Champions League qualification. However, a major shake-up is expected this summer. Apparently, this won't just affect the coaching staff. The squad will also be significantly revamped. One departure is already confirmed: former World Cup winner Mats Hummels is ending his career. The future of current coach Ranieri is not yet clear, but according to media reports, he could remain at the club as a senior advisor.

What a possible return to the coaching bench would mean for Klopp's ambitions at RB Leipzig? It's unclear, but a dual role seems unthinkable given the magnitude of the coaching task. Meanwhile, at AS, Klopp would return to a financially strong environment.