Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a move to Real Madrid but the former Liverpool manager's agent has denied the speculation, while Klopp himself has not ruled out a return to coaching in the future
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
10:50, 06 Jun 2026Updated 10:56, 06 Jun 2026
Liverpool Legends' manager Jurgen Klopp gestures to fans on the pitch after the Legends football match between Liverpool Legends and Dortmund Legends at Anfield
Jurgen Klopp hasn't coached since leaving Liverpool in 2024(Image: Getty)
Jurgen Klopp previously declined to dismiss the possibility of returning to management when speculation linked him with Real Madrid, and talk of a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu has resurfaced. Madrid's presidential elections take place on Sunday, with current president Florentino Perez facing a challenge from businessman Enrique Riquelme.
Riquelme has pledged to bring in Manchester City pair Erling Haaland and Rodri should he secure victory, while also vowing to install Klopp as the club's boss. 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."
The mention of Klopp - currently serving as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull - sparked considerable attention, prompting his representative Marc Kosicke to dismiss the claims. He told Sky Sports Germany: "It's annoying. He's not planning to return to coaching a club and happy at Red Bull."
This isn't the first occasion Klopp has been associated with the Madrid position, having been touted as the leading contender to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa at the campaign's conclusion back in March.
The 58 year old refuted suggestions of any discussions with the Spanish giants but acknowledged a potential managerial comeback down the line.
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.
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 did not delve into specifics regarding Jurgen Klopp but hinted he would contact him(Image: Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
"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.", reports the Liverpool Echo.
While Madrid find themselves in managerial disarray, a fresh era has dawned at Liverpool with the appointment of Andoni Iraola this week. The former Bournemouth manager signed a two-year contract with the Reds, stepping in to replace Arne Slot, who was dismissed following a fifth-placed finish this season.
Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, the Spaniard acknowledged that adjustments will be necessary at Liverpool, but assured supporters that his trademark high-intensity, fast-paced style of football will continue 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."