Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has again insisted he does not envisage returning to management as he continues to be linked with the Real Madrid job
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp was asked about recent reports linking him with the Real Madrid role(Image: )
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Jurgen Klopp has again shot down the possibility of returning to management despite being linked with Real Madrid. Xabi Alonso left the La Liga giants earlier this month, with his former Liverpool team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa taking over in the Bernabeu dugout.
Former Reds manager Klopp, who has stayed away from management since stepping down from his position with Liverpool in the summer of 2024, has continued to be linked with the position.
The German, who is currently Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull group, has insisted numerous times that he has no interest in a return to management. But that has not stopped frequent speculation, with Klopp also linked with a return to Liverpool and the Germany national team in recent months.
And following Alonso’s Real Madrid exit, Klopp has again reiterated that he is happy in semi-retirement.
"I don't expect to change my mind, but I don't know,” he told reporters in Leipzig. "We're building a house right now and my missus wanted to have a really big trophy room.
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“There was another small room and I said, 'This is enough, because we know how many trophies we have, we will not add any.'
"It might sound arrogant, but I know I can coach a football team. But I don't need to do it until my last day."
Meanwhile, Klopp, who admitted that he never considered himself a ‘world class manager’, also opened up on his approach to management. Stressing the importance of performance over results, he shared his message to his sides - and it is one that his former club Liverpool are perhaps in need of remembering.
The Reds are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run, but supporters booed after the final whistle as they played out a fourth successive Premier League draw at home to Burnley on Saturday.
The reigning Premier League champions currently sit fourth in the table but trail league leaders Arsenal by 14 points with a dismal run of nine defeats from 12 matches in all competitions back in the Autumn comprising their title-defence.
Arne Slot’s side have also been criticised for their slow style of play, having repeatedly struggled to break sides down.
And Klopp has revealed how he always reminded his side to try and win a game rather than avoid losing it.
"How did I start a game? I would say, 'the worst news is you can lose it'” he said. “So let's try and win it. Do not try to avoid defeat, try to win.
"Giving your all doesn't mean you will get anything, but it's your only chance to get something. That's pretty much how you do it. We gave everything. And sometimes we got something.
"I never watched the goals back, because I want to understand the game to the left and the right of the result.
"I want to understand why it happened. Results are the result of the performance. So we worked on the performance and the results came later.”