Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca rivalling Jurgen Klopp for shock new job

Enzo Maresca parted ways with Chelsea just six months after winning the Club World Cup, but the Italian head coach is already being linked with taking up tenure with another European powerhouse

Enzo Maresca has emerged as a contender to take the reins at Real Madrid, as Jurgen Klopp also finds himself linked with the recently-vacant head coach role.

Xabi Alonso parted ways with the club by mutual consent earlier this week, just seven-and-a-half months after his appointment in the Spanish capital. Despite guiding Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga, a DFB-Pokal and a DFL Supercup in 2024, Alonso's time at the Bernabeu was far less fruitful - guiding Los Blancos to no silverware whatsoever.

Alvaro Arbeloa has stepped in as a caretaker manager while Real Madrid look to appoint a permanent successor. However, the board may wish to work swiftly to find a more-seasoned coach for the job.

Arbeloa oversaw a catastrophic 3-2 loss at the hands of Segunda Division side Albacete in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, in a match which Spanish media described as a "total debacle."

As per Sky Sports, Klopp is a contender to take up a permanent position with the La Liga stalwarts, with the board discussing the German - who enjoyed a wealth of success with Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool - internally.

However, with Klopp tied to the Red Bull network as a Global Sports Director - a project he is passionate about - then it could be a tough task to tempt the 58-year-old back to the managerial game.

On the other hand, it is thought that Klopp will only return to coaching with Real Madrid or the German national team, but only if the timing is right for him.

As things stand, there has been no direct talks between Real Madrid and Klopp. Elsewhere, it is said that Maresca is also on the club's shortlist, having parted ways with Chelsea – who have since appointed Liam Rosenior – at the turn of the year.

The Italian enjoyed a wealth of success at Stamford Bridge prior to his departure, guiding the Blues to a Europa Conference League title in May before snapping up the Club World Cup this summer.

However, as a result of inconsistent form, Chelsea announced that they had parted ways with the 45-year-old on New Year's Day. The club wrote in a statement: "Chelsea Football Club and Head Coach Enzo Maresca have parted company.

"During his time at the Club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of the Club’s recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the Club.

"With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the Club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track. We wish Enzo well for the future."

Maresca also shared his own statement on social media which read: "'LEAVE THIS WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT'. My journey with Chelsea began with the preliminary rounds of the Conference League. I leave with the inner peace of leaving a prestigious club like Chelsea where it deserves to be.

"I want to thank all the Chelsea fans for their support over the last 18 months. Support that was crucial to achieving Champions League qualification, winning the Conference League, and winning the Club World Cup. Victories that I will always hold in my heart!

"A special thank you to all the players who have accompanied me on this wonderful journey. I wish everyone who has shared every moment with me every success in this second half of the season and in the future. Thank you, CHELSEA from me and my family."

Real Madrid is not the only landing spot that Maresca has been linked with following his Chelsea exit, however. The seasoned head coach has also been linked with Manchester United following the sacking of Ruben Amorim earlier this month.

With Michael Carrick since stepping in as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, it is highly unlikely that the Red Devils will look to appoint a permanent successor to Amorim until the summer now.