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Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has addressed speculation over a return to management after being linked with Real Madrid following Xabi Alonso’s sacking.
The German left Liverpool in 2024 and now works as Red Bull’s global head of football, overseeing their multi-club network, a role he has repeatedly said he enjoys.
Despite Real appointing Alvaro Arbeloa as Alonso’s replacement, Klopp has emerged as a potential future candidate. Following the sacking of Alonso last week, the 58-year-old said: “When I heard the news about Xabi Alonso, it was a bit of a mix. Yes, I was surprised. And no, I wasn’t surprised.
“I was like ‘what?’ And ‘yeah, of course’. I have no clue why it happened, but it’s always a specific case and not a general problem, because what they see now, Real Madrid, is that bringing in just the next one is not that easy.
“I would recommend if you sack a manager, you better have an idea who you want to succeed him. And it should be realistic. If they think they can get Pep Guardiola, I would say there’s not a big chance.”
Klopp previously admitted he had lost the energy for frontline management but has not ruled out a return to the dugout at some point. Klopp has admitted he cannot rule out a return to management amid links with Real Madrid.
“I’m in a place, as a person, where I’m completely at peace with where I am. I don’t want to be somewhere else,” Klopp told AFP. “I don’t get up and excited if Real Madrid are showing interest. If they would be, but it’s the media.
“Do I want to coach again? At the moment, I would say no, but I cannot say never, never, never. I don’t expect to change my mind, but I don’t know.”
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