Jurgen Klopp denies Real Madrid link following Xabi Alonso exit

Real Madrid parted ways with Alonso after a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Shortly afterwards, Los Blancos confirmed Álvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach. However, uncertainty surrounding the club’s long-term plans has fuelled rumours that Madrid could still explore other managerial options.

Klopp, who left Liverpool in 2024 and is currently working as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, was suddenly cited as a potential candidate. Despite no longer being in day-to-day management, the German has previously left the door open to a return to coaching.

Speaking on television as news of Alonso’s dismissal broke, Klopp was asked directly whether Real Madrid had contacted him. He dismissed the suggestion, saying: “It actually has - though not from Madrid. But yes, there were definitely a few people who felt they had to contact me directly about it. First of all, I think it’s another sign that something isn’t quite right there at the moment.

“If Xabi Alonso, who over the last two years at Leverkusen has shown what an outstanding coaching talent he is, is then forced to leave Madrid just six months later, it shows a few things. On the one hand, it shows that nowadays there’s no time anymore. On the other, the expectations at Real Madrid are obviously enormous.

“To make a decision like that in the heat of the moment, after losing a cup final to Barcelona, says a lot. I think we’d already been hearing rumours for a while.

“And now - I don’t know if that’s where your question was going - but this has absolutely nothing to do with me, and it didn’t trigger anything for me either. I was genuinely surprised. Then a few people messaged me, and I replied with various emojis.”

Klopp’s comments make it clear that a move to Real Madrid is not currently under consideration. Nevertheless, the former Liverpool manager has previously acknowledged that he could return to coaching at some point in the future.

Aside from Klopp, Real Madrid have also been linked with several other options, including Enzo Maresca and Zinedine Zidane, while the club could also opt to continue with Arbeloa if results are convincing.