Image Credits: Imago Images
Xabi Alonso’s turbulent spell as Real Madrid manager came to an abrupt end on Monday when the club announced his departure by “mutual agreement” following just 232 days in charge. The 44-year-old’s dismissal came less than 24 hours after Los Blancos suffered a devastating 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia, marking their second consecutive loss to their fierce rivals in the competition.
Although former defender Alvaro Arbeloa promoted from the Castilla reserves as manager, speculation has inevitably linked Jurgen Klopp to the role as well. However, the Liverpool legend has now already addressed the matter.
Speaking on ServusTV On shortly after Alonso was dismissed, Klopp was quizzed on his feelings on the matter:
“About two hours ago the news suddenly broke that Xabi Alonso is no longer the coach of Real Madrid,’ the host said as translated by Metro. “So my question is this: has your phone already started ringing?”
Klopp responded: “It actually has — though not from Madrid. But yes, there were definitely a few people who felt they had to contact me directly about it.”
“First of all, I think it’s another sign that something isn’t quite right there at the moment.”
“If Xabi Alonso, who over the last two years in Leverkusen has shown what an outstanding coaching talent he is – and I think at his age and with the number of jobs he’s had, you can say that — is then forced to leave Madrid just six months later, it shows a few things.”
“On the one hand, it shows that nowadays there’s no time anymore. On the other, the expectations at Real Madrid are obviously enormous.”
“To make a decision like that in the heat of the moment, after losing a cup final to Barcelona yesterday, says a lot. I think we’d already been hearing rumours for a while.”
He then replied that the Real Madrid manager situation has “nothing to do” with him:
“And now – I don’t know if that’s where your question was going – but this has absolutely nothing to do with me, and it didn’t trigger anything for me either, which would probably have been the follow-up question.”
“I was surprised, that’s true – genuinely surprised. Then a few people messaged me, and I replied with various emojis.”
@servustvon Jürgen Klopp zu Real Madrid? 🧐 📱 #SportTalk: Alle Highlights bei ServusTV On 🇦🇹 #ServusFussball#WhatToWatch ♬ original sound – ServusTV On
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