Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was quick to quash fresh speculation linking him to the Real Madrid job following the news of Xabi Alonso’s departure on Monday.
Jurgen Klopp was working as a pundit when news of Real Madrid’s vacant position broke (Image: PA)
Manager Jurgen Klopp appeared to immediately distance himself from the newly vacant Real Madrid job when he was asked about Xabi Alonso’s surprise departure on live television.
Klopp, 58, had previously been linked with the top job at the Bernabéu but insisted he was done with management after taking up the role as Red Bull’s global head of football following his departure from Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season.
On Monday night, it was announced that Real Madrid had sacked Alonso, who only joined the club in June. Álvaro Arbeloa has since taken over as manager of the Spanish giants, but Klopp, who works as a pundit for Servas TV On, was still fuming on live TV about the Whites’ vacancy.
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Asked if his phone had been ringing after the news, he admitted: “It did (ring) sometimes, although not from Madrid.” “But certainly there were some people who felt the need to contact me directly about this.
“First of all, I think this is another sign that something is not going right at the moment, given how outstanding his coaching ability has been in the last two years at Leverkusen, given his age and the number of jobs he has held, but to be forced to leave Madrid after just six months, it shows a few things.
Xabi Alonso left Real Madrid on Monday night (Image: Getty Images)
“On the one hand, this shows that today we are running out of time. On the other hand, Real Madrid’s expectations are clearly huge. To make such a decision in this heated competition after yesterday’s loss to Barcelona in the cup final says a lot.”
Klopp, who briefly floated the possibility of a sudden return to Liverpool earlier this season as his successor, Arne Slott, was not doing well, continued:
“And now I don’t know if your question is there, but this has absolutely nothing to do with me, and it didn’t trigger anything for me. Maybe that will be an additional question.
“I was surprised, that’s true. I was really surprised. Then some people messaged me and I replied with different emojis.”
Klopp has not been in charge since leaving Liverpool in 2024 (Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Alonso lasted just seven months in charge, losing only six of his 34 games as manager. However, the former Bayer Leverkusen’s reign was plagued by reports of turmoil behind the scenes.
Less than 24 hours after news of his dismissal, Alonso took to social media to comment on his departure:
“Being the coach of Real Madrid is both an honor and a responsibility. I would like to thank the club, the players and above all the fans and Madrid fans for their trust and support. I leave with respect, gratitude and the pride of knowing that I have given my best.”
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