Jurgen Klopp to Real Madrid? What the ex-Liverpool boss has said about replacing Xabi Alonso

Jurgen Klopp may have distanced himself from the Real Madrid vacancy, but they may still be keeping tabs on him.

The legendary former Liverpool boss has emerged as an early candidate for the head coach role at the Spanish giants, following Xabi Alonso’s shock exit.

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Alonso departed the Santiago Bernabeau by mutual agreement on Monday, having been in charge for just eight months.

This came just a day after Real’s Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia.

Arbeloa at the wheel… for now

Minutes after the Alonso announcement, Los Blancos confirmed former player Alvaro Arbeloa has taken over from Alonso.

By title, Arbeloa is currently in permanent charge, but there has been speculation over whether the LaLiga outfit could look to appoint a different boss at the end of the season.

Klopp was immediately linked with the role, and talkSPORT understands that the Real Madrid hierarchy appreciate Klopp, but are yet make a decision on whether they will opt for a change in management in the summer.

The German is currently Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, having joined on long-term contract in 2024 after his Liverpool exit.

What has Jurgen Klopp said about the Real Madrid job?

While working as a pundit for Red Bull’s in-house media channel ServusTV shortly after Alonso’s sacking, Klopp was immediately distanced himself from the vacancy when asked about it live on air.

Asked if his phone had started ringing, he replied: ”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.

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“If Xabi Alonso, who over the last two years in Leverkusen has shown what an outstanding coaching talent he is – and I think at his age and with the number of jobs he’s had, you can say that — 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 yesterday, says a lot.”

Klopp was previously linked with the Real Madrid job in December, when it was rumoured he could replace Alonso after the Spaniard found himself under mounting pressure.

And the 58-year-old alluded to this speculation, as he stressed that he was not set to take charge in the Spanish capital.

He continued: “I think we’d already been hearing rumours for a while.

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“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, which would probably have been the follow-up question.

“I was surprised, that’s true – genuinely surprised. Then a few people messaged me, and I replied with various emojis.”

Klopp, who won the Premier League and Champions League in nine years as Liverpool boss, has previously appeared to suggested he is done with management.

He departed Anfield in 2024, and declared in October of the same year: “If I had to make the decision today, I won’t coach again.”

What is Alvaro Arbeloa’s current situation?

While speculation continues to build over potential names Real Madrid could call upon as head coach, Arbeloa is the man in charge for the time being.

Despite never managing in senior football, the former defender had been in charge of Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team, since June 2025.

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And the Spaniard insisted that for as long as he is in the dugout, he will see himself as ‘at home’

Asked if he was currently permanent or interim boss, he replied: “I’ve been here 20 years at my home.

“I can tell you that I’ll be here until Real Madrid tell me to go. I feel it is my home, and that’s the way I see it.”

After graduated from the club’s youth ranks, Arbeloa then spent two years at Liverpool between 2007 and 2009, before returning to Madrid for a seven-year spell.

During this time he made 233 appearances, and lifted eight trophies, including LaLiga in 2012 and the Champions League in 2014 and 2016.