Jurgen Klopp still has several options available after rubbishing claims linking him with a new job
Jürgen Klopp attends the presentation of the MagentaTV team for the FUFA World Cup 2026 at DMC Production Germany GmbH on March 23, 2026 in Ismaning, Germany.
Jurgen Klopp has denied contact with Real Madrid(Image: Alexander Hassenstein, Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp has again been linked with a new managerial position recently. Klopp shocked the footballing world when he revealed in January 2024 that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
He ended a hugely successful tenure at Anfield with a Premier League title charge and a Carabao Cup triumph. After taking a brief break to recover from the relentless demands of football management, the 58-year-old took up a role as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer in January 2025.
Yet, German newspaper Bild claims it is an 'open secret' that the role doesn't entirely match Klopp's exceptional skills as a man-manager. Klopp responded this week by branding suggestions he would be leaving the Red Bull position as rubbish, stating the Austrian media outlet behind the story "hasn't got a clue" and calling them "idiots".
Real Madrid rumours
Klopp was left furious by reports claiming he could become Real Madrid’s next manager amid rumours that he’d been in contact with Los Blancos bosses. He was at the Magenta TV World Cup team presentation in Munich whether he had received a call about replacing Alvaro Arbeloa this summer.
The German was clearly annoyed by the rumours, responding with: "It's good that we're talking about this. When is a story a story? When someone takes a sheet of paper and writes something on it? Or when there's actually something to it?
"What does the situation have to be? That Real Madrid called me at some point and said: 'Florentino Perez on the phone! Jurgen, how are things?' Or is it enough if OE24 (an Austrian media outlet) – no idea whether that's AI or written by people – writes some rubbish? That annoys me. You need to show a bit of discipline there. It's all just nonsense."
He went on to say that Madrid have "not called me once, not a single time" in his life, before sarcastically adding: "I'll take over at Atletico Madrid as well, preferably at the same time. Sorry Madrid, you'll have to ring first."
Liverpool return
Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, shows appreciation to the fans following his final match as Liverpool manager after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on May 19, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Klopp may return to Liverpool one day(Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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In the same interview, Klopp didn't dismiss the possibility of returning to management. He explained: "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."
That implies he hasn't entirely ruled out a potential return to Liverpool in the future. Indeed, Klopp has previously made it clear that if he ever returns to the Premier League - widely regarded as the world's best division - he wouldn't want to manage any other team but Liverpool.
As speculation about Arne Slot's possible departure last year intensified, the German left the door open to a potential Liverpool return in some form. Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast, he said: "I said I will never coach a different team in England, so that means, if [I did return], then it's Liverpool."
When pushed on whether he might eventually return, he provided encouragement with three straightforward words: "Theoretically, it's possible."
Dream role
Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann has a contract with Germany until 2028(Image: Gabor Baumgarten/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
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Klopp rejected the chance to take charge of the German national team when approached in 2023, although that's not to say the proposition didn't appeal to him. Following a disappointing campaign, he opted to remain at Anfield for another year to oversee a squad rebuild before ultimately leaving at the end of the 2023/24 season.
By the time of his departure, the opportunity to manage Die Mannschaft had passed as Julian Nagelsmann had already replaced Hansi Flick. However, should the position become available again, Klopp would find it difficult to turn it down, having already taken his much-needed break from management.
His agent, Marc Kosicke, hinted as much last month when he said: "Jurgen feels very connected to this country. The question doesn’t even arise at the moment.
"I don’t think he feels he has to do it (manage Germany) at least once. Rather, he feels a sense of obligation, that he couldn’t always say no to the job."
Nagelsmann’s contract with the German national team runs until 2028 but a disappointing World Cup always has the potential to bring forward managerial changes.
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