In recent hours, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a potential move to Real Madrid ahead of next season. With Carlo Ancelotti‘s future reportedly in doubt following Real Madrid’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Arsenal, Klopp’s name surfaced as a possible replacement. Now, the German coach’s agent has now addressed the speculation and set the record straight.
Ancelotti’s position has come under increased scrutiny after the club’s disappointing European exit, leading to speculation about a managerial change. Amid that backdrop, Klopp emerged as a high-profile candidate—but his agent, Marc Kosicke, has poured cold water on those rumors.
“Jurgen is very happy with his new role as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull,” Kosicke told Sky Sports Germany, dismissing links not only to Real Madrid but also to the Brazil national team. According to the outlet, Klopp has no intention of returning to the sidelines in the near future.
Klopp was officially appointed as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer in October 2024. In this role, he oversees football operations across the company’s global network of clubs. During his introductory press conference in January, Klopp explained the motivation behind this new chapter:
“It’s pretty much what I wanted to do… A few months after that the opportunity came up. I don’t want to be a passenger or a prominent person in the room. I really want to put some value on it. I did not want to do that (be a manager) anymore. I wanted to get a new start and this is an opportunity. To add value,” Klopp stated, dismissing the possibility of his return as a coach, at least in the short term.
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Real Madrid’s top priority
While Klopp was briefly floated as a candidate amid reports of potential dissatisfaction within the Red Bull structure, Kosicke’s comments appear to close that door—for now. With Ancelotti’s future still uncertain and Klopp seemingly out of the running, all signs point to one standout candidate.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso remains Real Madrid’s top target should Ancelotti depart. Alonso—who has deep ties to the club from his playing days—reportedly has a €15 million release clause that could be activated in summer 2025. The clause, paired with his growing managerial reputation, makes him a strong contender to lead Los Blancos into a new era.
