UCL-winning manager has strong admirers at Real Madrid - Romano

After the fallout from Xabi Alonso’s sudden departure from Real Madrid, attention has now shifted towards who could take over next at the Santiago Bernabeu.

With speculation intensifying, transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano has offered fresh insight into the club’s thinking, especially regarding one high-profile name that refuses to go away.

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According to Romano, Jurgen Klopp remains a hugely admired figure within Real Madrid’s management and the board.

While there is no active negotiation or concrete discussion taking place at this stage, the admiration is very real.

The key factor, however, does not lie in Madrid’s hands. Everything depends on whether Klopp himself decides that he wants to return to coaching.

Depends on Klopp’s next move

At present, the situation is clear, as Klopp has not taken any steps towards a comeback.

Since leaving Liverpool in 2024, the German coach has deliberately stepped away from the daily pressures of management.

Jurgen Klopp is admired by Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

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In January 2025, he accepted a senior executive role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Football, where he oversees the football operations of the group’s clubs, including RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.

As things stand, he has no intention of leaving that position to return to the dugout.

That said, Real Madrid are watching closely, which means if Klopp were to change his stance and signal an openness to coaching again, the Spanish giants would be ready to act.

In that scenario, Madrid would try their luck, knowing full well that opportunities to appoint a manager of Klopp’s pedigree do not come often.

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The urgency behind this planning is understandable, as Los Blancos officially confirmed that Alonso has left the club just seven months into his tenure.

In the short term, former club captain Alvaro Arbeloa has been appointed as interim head coach, although Real Madrid have not specified how long he will remain in charge.

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