Jurgen Klopp has emphatically distanced himself from speculation linking him to the Real Madrid managerial position, following the sudden dismissal of Xabi Alonso.
The former Liverpool manager, who has been in an executive role with Red Bull since January 2025, expressed surprise at the decision and stated the vacancy has no personal relevance to him.
Speaking as a pundit on Servus TV shortly after Alonso’s sacking was confirmed, Klopp addressed the swirling rumours directly. “It actually has – though not from Madrid,” Klopp said when asked if his phone had been ringing with offers.
“First of all, I think it’s another sign that something isn’t quite right there at the moment,” he added, referencing the swift termination of Alonso’s tenure after just eight months and 34 games in charge.
Alonso, a World Cup winner, was reportedly dismissed following a Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona and alleged clashes with star players, including Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. Klopp questioned the timing of the decision, made “in the heat of the moment” after the cup final loss, and concluded, “this has absolutely nothing to do with me, and it didn’t trigger anything for me either”.
The 58-year-old German has been consistent in his stance since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season. In an October 2025 interview, Klopp stated, “I said I will never coach a team in England again,” while leaving the door ajar for a potential future return to management elsewhere, though not immediately.
“I don’t miss coaching… I don’t miss standing in the rain… I don’t miss going to press conferences three times a week,” he elaborated. His current employer, Red Bull, has also supported this position. Red Bull chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff recently stated, “Jurgen has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be a coach at the moment,” expressing confidence in Klopp’s commitment to his global soccer development role.
Despite Klopp’s clear denials, his name continues to be prominently featured in media reports as a dream target for Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. Some outlets have even speculated about potential conditions for his appointment, including transfer demands targeting players like Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister.
However, these reports stand in direct contradiction to Klopp’s own firm and recent public statements.
For now, former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and club legend Zinedine Zidane are considered more likely candidates to permanently succeed Alonso, with Castilla coach Alvaro Arbeloa acting as interim manager.
Klopp, meanwhile, remains focused on his off-pitch role, having taken a deliberate step back from the daily pressures of club management.