Jurgen Klopp has reaffirmed that he won’t be joining Real Madrid as manager, but he was somewhat ambiguous in his answer as to whether he could coach in the future.
Klopp and Real Madrid: A quick look
• Bernabeu links: Despite media reports from Sky Sports naming him as a candidate to replace Xabi Alonso permanently, Jurgen Klopp has reaffirmed he has no current desire to join Real Madrid.
• “At peace”: Now a year into his role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, Klopp says he is “completely at peace” and does not feel the need to coach “until my last day.”
• Door left ajar: While he insists he doesn’t expect to change his mind, he remains slightly ambiguous, stating: “I cannot say never, never, never.”
After leaving Liverpool, Klopp had a break before becoming Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, a role with a broad remit across the company’s clubs.
While he has consistently said he isn’t seeking to make an immediate return to management, Klopp has left the door slightly ajar when asked about the future.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, May 27, 2024:Jurgen Klopp during 'An Evening with Jürgen Klopp' an event at the Liverpool Arena celebrating Klopp's nine years as manager of Liverpool Football Club. (Photo by Ryan Brown/Propaganda)
Responding to questions about whether he could replace Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid – a job Alvaro Arbeloa currently occupies – he told AFP (h/t the Mirror): “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. 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.”
Among the main reasons for Klopp to leave Liverpool was fatigue from constant pressure and dealings with the media. He is now enjoying life away from the spotlight.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 18, 2024: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“We’re building a house right now and my missus wanted to have a really big trophy room,” the 58-year-old added.
“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.”
Sky Sports have reported that Klopp is a candidate for the Madrid job and that he would give ‘serious consideration’ to an offer.
However, speaking to the Athletic, he didn’t sound like a man who will be moving to the Bernabeu.
“I know I can coach a football team, but that doesn’t mean I have to do it until my last day,” said the German.
“I wanted to do something different. Red Bull gave me an opportunity to find a role which we have been defining together, step by step. 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. I’ve got to know a lot of people who I didn’t know before. I’ve been to a lot of business meetings and learned words that I never knew before.
“It’s been a good time. One year in, five years of experience gained.”
At this point, it seems quite unlikely that Klopp will take another managerial job, not least at Real Madrid where managers don’t have total control, but the fact he continually provides a caveat does suggest he could return if he has the energy.