Ex-Liverpool striker Ryan Babel reckons Real Madrid 'don't deserve' Jurgen Klopp as their next manager.

Klopp is set to end his stunning nine-year stint at Liverpool at the end of this season, leaving fans speculative about his future steps. The German boss, having spoken in January of plans for a sabbatical, might be pursued by top European clubs eager to lure him back into management in the summer.

Real Madrid has emerged as a potential destination for Klopp, reports the Mirror, even though Carlo Ancelotti recently committed to staying at the Bernabeu until 2026. However, some – including Babel – have doubts about whether the move would suit Klopp.

Babel, 37, exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: "There are not many teams, in my opinion, who deserve Jurgen Klopp. He's a coach who needs to be accepted for who he is. He's someone who needs time to completely express is way of playing."

He further added: "So, with that being said, while I would love to see him be successful with a team like Real Madrid, we know that Real Madrid are not a team who are going to give him two or three years to eventually show the football that he wants to play. So, I don't think Real Madrid deserve him.

"Even a team like Bayern, you know, they don't have a lot of patience for managers. There are rumours that he might coach the German national team... I don't know about that. But I think he'll definitely surprise a lot of people."

Babel, who clocked up three-and-a-half years with the Reds, also discussed Klopp's potential break from football, saying: "He will probably go away to a lot of holiday destinations, drink some beer and spend some quality time with his family. He'll try to release all the stress, in a good environment with his family, before he inevitably goes back to work."

The Dutchman didn't mince his words about Klopp's future downtime, adding: "Judging from the outside, and knowing Jurgen Klopp, he's far from done. I think he'll get bored within six months and he'll want to work again."

Babel, who joined the Anfield squad from Ajax back in 2007, racked up 146 appearances and netted 22 goals for Liverpool before hopping over to Hoffenheim in 2011. The winger had another crack at the Premier League with Fulham in 2018 but only stuck around at Craven Cottage for a single season.

After a globetrotting career with stints at Galatasaray, Ajax, and Eyupspor, the Dutch forward hung up his boots in November.