Renewed reports linking Jurgen Klopp to Real Madrid have emerged with the former Liverpool boss' stance on a possible return to management once again hitting the headlines
Jurgen Klopp talks on a podcast
Jurgen Klopp has been out of management since leaving Liverpool in 2024(Image: That Peter Crouch podcast)
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Jurgen Klopp previously refused to deny he may make a return to management when linked with Real Madrid as speculation surrounding a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu has resurfaced. Madrid's presidential elections take place on Sunday, with incumbent Florentino Perez facing off against 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 new 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."
His reference to Klopp - who continues in his role as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull - generated widespread attention and prompted the former Liverpool chief's 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 touted for the Madrid position, having been reported as the leading contender to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa at the end of the season back in March.
The 58-year-old refuted suggestions any discussions had occurred with the La Liga giants but acknowledged he might re-join the dugout 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. 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."
Liverpool Legends' manager Jurgen Klopp back at Anfield for the Legends football match between Liverpool Legends and Dortmund Legends at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on March 28, 2026.
Jurgen Klopp has once again been linked with Real Madrid(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)
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While Madrid find themselves in managerial chaos, a fresh era has begun at Liverpool with the arrival of Andoni Iraola this week. The former Bournemouth manager put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Reds, stepping in to replace Arne Slot, who was shown the door after guiding the club to a fifth-place finish this season.
Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, the Spaniard acknowledged he will need to adapt his approach at Anfield but assured supporters that his trademark high-intensity, fast-paced style of play will remain firmly in place.
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 25: 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. (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Enrique Riquelme named the Reds icon as his ideal manager(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
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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. 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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