Jurgen Klopp is a huge fan of Sunderland manager target Bo Svensson.
Sunderland are yet to appoint their new head coach, almost two weeks after the Championship season came to an end.
The Black Cats have been linked with a number of young managers across Europe, with the likes of Danny Rohl, Rene Maric and Will Still high on their shortlist.
Meanwhile, one new name that has nowemerged as a ‘shock candidate‘ is Bo Svensson.
The Dane left Bundesliga club Mainz in November 2023, having guided them from relegation contenders to a team fighting for Europa Conference League qualification two years later.
Svensson is already known in England, having been linked with the Brighton & Hove Albion job when Graham Potter left.
The 44-year-old is also known to both Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp, with the latter having signed him as a player for Mainz in 2007.
Svensson was part of Klopp’s last season with Mainz, and then went onto retire from professional football in 2014.
The Dane then became Mainz’ head coach seven years later and after keeping them up in the Bundesliga, Klopp had high praise for his former player.
Jurgen Klopp praises ‘outstanding’ Bo Svensson
Speaking to Bild in June 2021, the Liverpool boss said: “We spoke on the phone Thursday.
“I only saw him as a player for a year. As a guy, he was a grenade even then. As a coach, he’s a great, great talent and has done an outstanding job so far.
“And he has a heart for Mainz 05, that’s important. He brings the right mood to the club again. I’m very optimistic that things are going in the right direction with him now.”
Klopp also gave advice to Svensson, adding: “Stay just as you are.
“That’s the only thing I can tell him, Bo doesn’t need a tip from me. As a coach, you have to be true to yourself.”
Could Sunderland benefit from his Bundesliga contacts?
Svensson has also previously spoken on Tuchel, claiming the pair have a ‘special relationship.
While Jurgen Klopp is set to leave Liverpool this summer, the two Germans are certainly very good figures to have on your contact list.
Bo Svensson certainly seems like a very promising option for Sunderland, and to be able to look to both Klopp and Tuchel for advice would surely be beneficial.
The former defender’s history in the Bundesliga could offer the Black Cats a new outlook during the transfer window, and having a relationship with the manager of Germany’s biggest club can only be a good thing. Though they will have to hope the former Chelsea manager stays at the Allianz Arena this summer.