Jurgen Klopp's curious response to Real Madrid question raises eyebrows

The former Liverpool head coach, who is now overseeing Red Bull's sporting operations, was again linked with the Real Madrid role last week following Alonso's departure

Jurgen Klopp was asked about recent reports linking him with the Real Madrid role(Image: )

Jurgen Klopp has again revealed he currently has no intention of returning to coaching, but curiously said he "didn't know" if he would ever change his mind.

Klopp’s name was mentioned as a possible appointment at Real Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti departed last year, and the news of Xabi Alonso’s dismissal last week saw fresh reports emerge. However, having walked away from Liverpool in 2024, Klopp has said on several occasions that he is enjoying a break from the day-to-day grind of coaching.

Since leaving the Reds, Klopp has taken up a more backseat role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, where he oversees the company’s portfolio of clubs.

Speaking in a recent interview in Leipzig, Klopp was asked about those links to Real and said the opportunity to take over at the Bernabeu does not interest him.

“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,” the former Liverpool head coach told AFP.

“I don't get up and excited if Real Madrid are showing interest. If they would be — but it's the media.

Klopp joined Red in January 2025(Image: Getty Images)

“Do I want to coach again? At the moment, I would say no, but I cannot say never, never, never,” he added.

“I don't expect to change my mind, but I don't know.”

Klopp also expressed his shock at Alonso’s departure from Real last week, a decision made with the club sitting second in the table and in the automatic qualification spots for the Champions League.

The former Liverpool midfielder, who is now being linked as a possible long-term replacement for Arne Slot at Anfield, is understood to have fallen out with several key figures at Real, and it was internal politics rather than results that led to his exit.

Alonso left Real last week(Image: Getty Images)

“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,” said Klopp.

“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.

“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.”