Image Credits: Imago Images
Real Madrid announced on Monday that manager Xabi Alonso had left the club “by mutual consent” following a humiliating 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. The 44-year-old’s reign lasted just seven months – barely scratching the surface of his three-year contract signed last summer to replace the departing Carlo Ancelotti.
The final straw was Sunday’s Supercopa defeat in Jeddah – Real’s fifth loss to Barcelona in their last six encounters – left president Florentino Pérez and the board with little choice but to act decisively.
Shortly after Alonso’s departure, Real Madrid opted to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as his immediate successor, promoting the 42-year-old from his role managing reserve side Real Madrid Castilla. Crucially, the club’s official statement described Arbeloa as the permanent head coach, not an interim appointment – though many observers remain skeptical about whether he’ll survive beyond this season.
And if Madrid will hunt for a manager of the summer, it seems Klopp is on the shortlist.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has reported that Jurgen Klopp is a serious candidate for Real Madrid should they look for a new manager in the summer. It is claimed that the Liverpool legend would give “serious consideration” to the role:
“Jürgen Klopp is a candidate for the head coach position at Real Madrid, should the club decide to appoint a new manager in the summer. As revealed on 11 December and confirmed again. Understand despite Klopp’s long-term contract with Red Bull and his strong identification with the Red Bull project, Real Madrid hold a major appeal for him. If Real were to make a serious move, Klopp would give it serious consideration.”
🚨🧨 EXCLUSIVE DETAILS | Jürgen #Klopp is a candidate for the head coach position at Real Madrid, should the club decide to appoint a new manager in the summer. As revealed on 11 December and confirmed again.
⚠️ Understand despite Klopp’s long-term contract with Red Bull and… pic.twitter.com/Ot00h0nhpf
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 13, 2026
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