Image Credits: Imago Images
Jurgen Klopp’s name has dominated football headlines this week following Xabi Alonso’s dismissal from Real Madrid, with reports suggesting the former Liverpool boss could be tempted back into management at the Bernabéu – despite his repeated insistence that he’s happy in his current role at Red Bull.
The speculation reached fever pitch when Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg revealed that Klopp is “seriously considering a return as head coach should Real Madrid make a concrete move for the summer”. According to the reporter Real Madrid “have always fascinated” the 58-year-old German, who has identified just two projects that could lure him back to the touchline: Los Blancos and the Germany national team.
Klopp moved however moved quickly to distance himself from the speculation when asked about the vacancy during a pundit appearance on Austrian broadcaster ServusTV just hours after Alonso’s exit was confirmed. “My phone did actually ring—but not from Madrid,” Klopp said with a laugh, before adding: “This has absolutely nothing to do with me, and it didn’t trigger anything for me either”.
The German expressed sympathy for Alonso, calling him “an outstanding coaching talent” and suggesting that his dismissal after just six months “is another sign that something isn’t quite right there at the moment”. Klopp noted that the decision showed “we [coaches] no longer have any time”.
And now, Fabrizio Romano has somewhat cooled links, and stressed that only way Klopp lands up at Real Madrid is if he pushes for the move himself:
“Many of you are asking about Jurgen Klopp, also because of rumours last night from Germany,” the Italian transfer guru said on his YouTube channel.
“The answers I’m getting from this, he’s really appreciated internally by Real Madrid by SOME people.”
“But the same people say it must start from Jurgen Klopp. It’s not going to be Real Madrid asking Klopp ‘would you like to return to management’. This is not Real Madrid style. They will only consider Jurgen Klopp in the summer IF Arbeloa goes – and that’s not guaranteed.”
“If he decides to return to coaching, Madrid will consider him. This is something that must be started by Klopp, so let’s see what he decides to do for his future.”
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