Jurgen Klopp ‘tempted’ to make sensational return by agreeing to be manager at giants
Real Madrid have identified Jurgen Klopp as their ideal candidate to succeed Xabi Alonso on a permanent basis but could face difficulties in trying to coax him away from his role at Red Bull.
Klopp won everything there was to win in his nearly nine years at Liverpool, as he transformed the club’s fortunes and took them back to challenging for silverware at the highest level.
The German departed Anfield in the summer of 2024 after revealing that he was running out of energy, with the club choosing Arne Slot as his successor.
He has since been appointed as Red Bull’s Head of Global Football as he takes time out of management, but rumours have emerged that Klopp could return to Liverpool as they falter under Slot this season.
Klopp was linked to the Madrid job prior to Alonso’s sacking, and as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Spanish giants see him as their main target for the role long-term.
Madrid are desperate to appoint Klopp despite his time out of management
Former Liverpool star Alonso became Real Madrid’s new boss ahead of this season, but he was dismissed on Monday following a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Fellow ex-Reds man Alvaro Arbeloa is now in charge of Los Blancos after being promoted from their youth side, but the club are still expected to pursue Klopp’s services as they aim to tempt him back into the managerial hotseat.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Look, you’re talking about Real Madrid, one of the biggest, if not the biggest club in the world. It’s flattering for any manager to be linked with that job.
“Jurgen Klopp has been a dream target for Real Madrid for a number of years now, but they’ve never managed to get him.
“Obviously we know they’re in the market for a long-term manager, probably for next season, with Alvaro Arbeloa in charge following the departure of Xabi Alonso.
“It’ll be a difficult deal to do to convince Klopp to give up what he’s doing right now with Red Bull. He obviously needed that break when he felt he had run out of energy and given his all to Liverpool.
“But look, it’s hard to say no to Real Madrid. It doesn’t matter who you are, they’re such an iconic club as well.“
Klopp has been in the running to be the next Liverpool or Tottenham manager
Slot replaced Klopp seamlessly last season as Liverpool romped to the Premier League title, but things have not gone to plan so far in this campaign.
Their early-season struggles saw Klopp mooted to return to Anfield to replace his successor, but talk of such a move materialising has lessened in recent months after the Reds’ slight uptick in form.
Thomas Frank is facing an uncertain future as Tottenham boss right now, with a recent run of one win in seven games leaving them 14th in the Premier League.
Klopp has been touted to replace Frank, with the bookmakers now pricing him at 12/1 to be Spurs’ next manager, but he is behind the likes of Oliver Glasner, Mauricio Pochettino, Marco Silva and Enzo Maresca in the running.