Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is among those linked with the head coach role at Real Madrid after ex-Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso was axed
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been linked with taking over from Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp is a candidate for the head coach position at Real Madrid, should the club decide to appoint a new manager in the summer, it has been claimed.
Los Blancos confirmed on Monday that Xabi Alonso has left his role by mutual consent after less than eight months in charge. Alvaro Arbeloa, who had been the Real Madrid B manager for the first half of the 2025/26 season, was soon announced as his replacement.
However, Arbeloa's appointment hasn't stopped speculation flying around that Klopp could be in contention to manage Real Madrid in the future. The German has been long linked with the position throughout his career but has insisted that he has no desire to return to the dugout since his departure from Liverpool in the summer of 2024.
But now, according to Sky Sport Germany, Klopp is a contender to become the next head coach at the Santiago Bernabeu. It's added that, despite Klopp's long-term contract with Red Bull and his strong identification with the project, Real Madrid hold a major appeal for him.
If Los Blancos were to make a serious move, Klopp, 58, would give it serious consideration.
Following Alonso's exit from Real Madrid, Klopp who was appearing on ServusTV On, was asked whether his phone had been ringing. And Klopp was quick to defend Alonso as he delivered his verdict on his dismissal.
"It actually has [been ringing] - though not from Madrid," Klopp admitted. "But yes, there were definitely a few people who felt they had to contact me directly about it.
Xabi Alonso looks on during the Spanish Super Cup final between Real Madrid and Barcelona
Xabi Alonso has been fired as Real Madrid's manager(Image: Getty Images)
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"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. 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."