Jurgen Klopp shuts down Real Madrid rumours, but 'not quite finished' in coaching

Munich — Jurgen Klopp has dismissed swirling speculation that he could be on his way to the Real Madrid bench, branding the January rumours “all nonsense” and insisting no approach was ever made to him or his representatives.

Speaking to MagentaTV at an event in Germany on Monday, the 58-year-old laughed off suggestions that the Spanish giants had tried to lure him back into the dugout. “If Real Madrid had called, we would have heard about it by now,” he said. “They didn’t even call once. They didn’t even call my agent.”

The former Liverpool manager, who stepped away from Anfield in 2024 after almost nine trophy-laden seasons, has served as Red Bull’s global head of soccer since January 2025. While he reiterated his contentment with the role, Klopp conceded that the coaching itch has not disappeared entirely. “I’m not quite finished as a coach yet,” he admitted. “So who knows what might come up in the next few years. But there are absolutely no plans in that regard.”

Klopp’s comments echo remarks he gave to The Athletic earlier this year, when he described himself as “completely at peace with where I am” and stressed that he does not want to be anywhere else. Red Bull’s hierarchy has moved to quash any notion of an imminent departure, with CEO of corporate projects and investments Oliver Mintzlaff telling The Athletic in February that reports linking Klopp to a return to club or international management are “complete nonsense and totally unfounded.”

Mintzlaff praised Klopp’s impact across the company’s five clubs — RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Bragantino and RB Omiya Ardija — citing his “constant communication with our coaches and sporting directors” and his role in “sustainably developing our Red Bull football philosophy.”

Klopp, who cited dwindling energy levels when he announced his Liverpool exit, appears reinvigorated by his new remit. “I’m not thinking of throwing in the towel,” he said, underlining his commitment to the multi-continental project. During his Anfield tenure he delivered the club’s first Premier League title in 30 years in 2019-20 and lifted the Champions League the previous season.

Questions over the German national team post have followed Klopp for years, and he was again asked about the possibility on Monday. “I’ve said that a thousand times already,” he replied, “but of course I’m not thinking about it at all right now.”

For the foreseeable future, Klopp’s focus remains on Red Bull’s global operations, leaving the door only slightly ajar for a managerial comeback somewhere down the line.