Image Credits: Imago Images
Real Madrid’s decision to part ways with Xabi Alonso at the start of the week has blown the managerial market wide open – and thrust Jurgen Klopp straight back into the eye of the storm. Los Blancos confirmed on Monday that Alonso had left by “mutual agreement”, with former team‑mate Alvaro Arbeloa promoted from the B team as interim boss. The move followed a damaging Supercopa defeat to Barcelona and months of reported tension in the dressing room.
Within hours of the announcement, speculation around Klopp went into overdrive. Sky Germany and outlets in Spain report that the former Liverpool manager – now Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull group – is a leading candidate should Real appoint a permanent coach in the summer.
Klopp has already poured cold water on the reports, insisting Alonso’s dismissal is “nothing to do with me” and expressing sympathy for his former midfielder. Yet the links refuse to die. Sky Germany reported that he would at least consider the Bernabéu if a concrete offer arrives, with Real Madrid and the German national team seen as the two projects capable of luring him back to the dugout
And now more information has come out, with German journalist Rafa Honigstein claiming that Jurgen Klopp has been learning Spanish since his Liverpool exit:
“I think it’s a fascinating mental experiment to envisage Jurgen Klopp at Real Madrid. In the past, there have been approaches and Klopp’s answer has always been ‘I don’t speak the language and I’ve got another job,” he said on BBC Five.
“Those two answers would be different this time because he’s been learning Spanish, lives in Mallorca, and he has a job (Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull) but it’s not a coaching job.”
“I don’t think it’s as categoric as it used to be, but you still wonder if his way of doing things could actually work there.”
In response, Spanish football expert Balague said: “They 100% want him (Klopp), and Florentino Perez on the Tuesday was bringing super agents to find out the availability of Jurgen Klopp, Enzo Maresca and a third one but I haven’t found out who it is. The idea of Klopp taking over this team is very pressing.”
It would be strange to see Jurgen Klopp in the Real Madrid dugout for Reds fans, especially as they have stolen away too Champions League trophies from the German and Liverpool. What is clear is that Klopp will have to initiate any potential move to the Spanish capital himself.
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