Jurgen Klopp has publicly stated his stance over a possible return to management, having been linked with a move to Real Madrid after they sacked Xabi Alonso
Jurgen Klopp has spoken about a possible return to management(Image: Ronny HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp has admitted he can’t rule out the possibility of returning to management after being linked with Real Madrid. Klopp left behind management when he parted company with Liverpool in 2024 and continues to be linked with the biggest jobs.
The German is currently working as Red Bull‘s global head of football, overseeing their multi-club structure with RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls and Paris FC. Having stepped out of the spotlight, Klopp has repeatedly stated how happy he is working behind the scenes with Red Bull.
But he has now emerged as a potential candidate for Real Madrid following the sacking of Xabi Alonso last week. The Spanish giants have replaced Alonso with his former team-mate and close friend Alvaro Arbeloa, yet that hasn’t stopped the speculation.
The 58-year-old admitted he had lost the energy and appetite for the highly pressurised role of management when he left Liverpool in May 2024, but he is refusing to rule out stepping back into the dugout in the future.
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“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,” Klopp told AFP. “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.”
According to Sky Sports, Klopp is being considered at Real Madrid, who could try to tempt him out of semi-retirement. The former Liverpool manager has given his general assessment of the situation in the Spanish capital.
“When I heard the news about Xabi Alonso, it was a bit of a mix. Yes, I was surprised. And no, I wasn’t surprised,” Klopp said. “I was like ‘what?’ And ‘yeah, of course’. I have no clue why it happened, but it’s always a specific case and not a general problem, because what they see now, Real Madrid, is that bringing in just the next one is not that easy.
Xabi Alonso parted company with Real Madrid last week(Image: Getty Images)
“I would recommend if you sack a manager, you better have an idea who you want to succeed him. And it should be realistic. If they think they can get Pep Guardiola, I would say there’s not a big chance.”
Speaking to The Athletic in September, Klopp hinted that he could use his time with Red Bull as a stepping stone back into management, with the job of Germany head coach another frequent suggestion in the media. “I know I can coach a football team, but that doesn’t mean I have to do it until my last day,” he said.
“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.”
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