Real Madrid recently parted ways with Xabi Alonso after the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona, and Jurgen Klopp has emerged as a target.
Real Madrid have been linked with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as they look for a long-term managerial solution. However, the German tactician has now ruled out a move to Real Madrid.
The 58-year-old is currently in a directorial role with the Red Bull group, and he has not indicated any desire to return to management. However, he has responded to the links with Real Madrid. The German manager explained that Xabi Alonso’s departure from the club after just a few months shows that there is something that is not quite right at the Spanish club and that the 44-year-old should have been given more time.
Klopp said via talkSPORT, ”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.
“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.”
There is no doubt that Xabi Alonso is a quality young manager. He showed his quality in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, and he helped them win the Bundesliga title without losing a single game; there is no doubt that he deserved more time at Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Klopp has been linked with a return to Liverpool in recent months as well. The Premier League champions have not been at their best this season, and naturally there has been speculation surrounding the future of Arne Slot. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool decide to make a move for the German in the near future.
Klopp is currently enjoying his time away from management, and he has shown no desire to return any time soon. As for Real Madrid, the 58-year-old’s comments will come as a blow for them, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to move on to other targets.
Los Blancos have a quality team at their disposal, but they have not been able to perform at the highest level regularly. It remains to be seen whether they can bring in a quality manager who can turn things around and get the best out of their current squad.
