Klopp shuts down Real Madrid speculation

Berlin — Jürgen Klopp has categorically ruled himself out of the running for the Real Madrid managerial post, insisting the Spanish giants have never made contact with him or his representatives.

Speaking to reporters at the Magenta TV World Cup team presentation on Monday, the 58-year-old German said: “If Real Madrid had phoned, we would have heard about it by now. But that’s all nonsense. They haven’t called even once – not once. My agent is there, you can ask him. They haven’t called him either.”

Klopp, who stepped down as Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023-24 campaign after nine trophy-laden years, is currently serving as Red Bull’s head of global soccer. During his Anfield tenure he delivered the club’s first Premier League crown and a sixth European Cup, among other major honours.

Real Madrid appointed former right-back Álvaro Arbeloa in January after parting ways with Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed following a poor sequence of results and reported dressing-room friction. Despite speculation that the Bernabéu hierarchy might look to a high-profile successor, Klopp stressed no approach has materialised.

“Right now I’m not thinking about that. Luckily, there’s no reason to,” he added. “For my age, I’m quite advanced in life, but as a coach I’m not completely finished. I haven’t reached retirement age. Who knows what will happen in the coming years? But there’s nothing planned.”

Klopp, who previously guided Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, has also stated he would never manage another English club besides Liverpool.