Jurgen Klopp has had to field reports linking him to Real Madrid once again with his past comments on the Spanish giants coming to light
Jurgen Klopp, Red Bull Head of Global Soccer, speaks during the official opening of New York Red Bulls new training facilities on April 22, 2026 in Morristown, New Jersey. RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center will host team Brazil's main training camp during the upcoming FIFA World Cup
Jurgen Klopp hasn't ruled out a return to coaching(Image: Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp previously refused to rule out a return to coaching when linked to Real Madrid as reports of a move to the Santiago Bernabeu have reignited. Madrid's presidency elections will be held on Sunday with the incumbent Florentino Perez battling against businessman Enrique Riquelme.
Riquelme has promised to sign Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Rodri if he is elected before insisting he will also appoint Klopp as the club's new manager. He said: "The manager we want for our Real Madrid project is Jurgen Klopp. On Monday, if we win the elections, our director Raul will get in touch with Klopp."
His mention of Klopp - who remains as the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull - made headlines and resulted in the former Liverpool manager's agent Marc Kosicke denying the speculation. He told Sky Sports Germany: "It’s annoying. He’s not planning to return to coaching a club and happy at Red Bull."
It isn't the first time Klopp has been linked with the Madrid job as he was rumoured to be the top candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the season back in March. The 58-year-old denied any talks had taken place with the La Liga side but admitted he may return to management in the future.
He explained: "If Real Madrid had phoned, we would have heard about it by now. But that's all nonsense. They haven't called even once, not once. My agent is there, you can ask him. They haven't called him either.
Liverpool Legends' manager Jurgen Klopp gestures to fans on the pitch after the Legends football match between Liverpool Legends and Dortmund Legends at Anfield
The former Liverpool boss has stayed away from management since leaving Anfield in 2024(Image: Getty)
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"Right now I'm not thinking about that, luckily there's no reason to. For my age I'm quite advanced in life, but as a coach I'm not completely finished. I haven't reached retirement age. Who knows what will happen in the coming years? But there's nothing planned."
While Madrid are in managerial turmoil, a new dawn has arrived at Liverpool with the appointment of Andoni Iraola this week. The former Bournemouth boss inked a two-year deal with the Reds as he replaces Arne Slot who was dismissed after leading the club to a fifth-placed finish this season.
Enrique Riquelme attends the Media during the opening of his new campaign headquarters for his candidacy for the presidency of Real Madrid next to Bernabeu stadium on May 25, 2026, in Madrid, Spain
Enrique Riquelme has targeted Jurgen Klopp if he becomes the new Real Madrid president(Image: Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, the Spaniard admitted he will have to make changes when managing the Reds but ensured his style of aggressive fast-paced football will remain at Anfield. Iraola said: "I think I have the advantage that I've been here already three years in the Premier League and people for sure have seen Bournemouth play.
"There are some things that obviously we need to change coaching Liverpool. But I wouldn't like to lose our identity, the intensity, the aggressiveness, the organisation, certain things that I would like always to have in my team.
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"Obviously you have to adapt to the players you have and it's not the same, one club or the other, but there are fundamentals that I also think match quite well [with] what Liverpool has been during a lot of years that I think we can make it work."
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