Image Credits: Imago Images
The rumour mill has gone into absolute overdrive in the wake of Xabi Alonso’s dismissal from Real Madrid, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp unsurprisingly being linked to the job.
According to a report from Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Klopp – despite his long-term contract as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer – would give a potential move to Real Madrid “serious consideration” if Los Blancos were to make a formal approach. The German reporter first floated Klopp’s name as a candidate back on December 11, when speculation was already swirling around Alonso’s precarious position following a string of poor results.
Real Madrid moved swiftly to appoint former defender Álvaro Arbeloa as Alonso’s replacement, promoting him from his role managing reserve side Castilla. However, there is a belief that the 42-year-old is not a long-term solution, with most observers viewing his appointment as a stopgap measure until a bigger name becomes available in the summer.
Now Fabrizio Romano has come out corroborate the reports on Klopp to a degree, but asserts that it’s nothing more than Real Madrid admiration. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Italian transfer guru said:
“Jurgen Klopp, at the moment is fully focused on Red Bull project. He’s really happy with what he’s doing as he said in public several times.”
“But, Klopp has some people at Real Madrid board & management that are big fans of what he did at Liverpool.”
“Klopp in terms of energy can be a Real Madrid manager one day. For sure he is appreciated internally at Madrid, but that’s it. There is nothing agreed, nothing discussed, nothing decided, so we have to see what happens with Jurgen Klopp in the future.”
“First step must be Klopp telling people in football ‘okay I want to return to management’.
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