Real Madrid turn to Klopp

And suddenly, Klopp. An old wish resurfacing, an eternal longing reborn. A burst of Rock & Roll energy poised to combat the current slump—and, more importantly, a very real, very viable option. The timing and circumstances are strikingly aligned.

Jürgen Klopp stepped away from the coaching benches because he needed a break, a breather from the relentless intensity of the touchline. But as it turns out, front-office work is simply not his calling, and it took him only four months to realise it.

Since January 1st, he has held the title of Red Bull’s Global Director of Football—a role that positions him as a kind of ambassador for the brand, scouting talent and staying close to various squads. In essence, it’s a vague, ambiguous position—and one in which he finds little joy or fulfilment. It’s common knowledge.

So much so, in fact, that he’s already considering a return to coaching. And in the short term, there are only two benches he would even contemplate taking: those of the Brazilian national team or Real Madrid. And what’s more: one of them—Real Madrid—is already knocking on the door.

He didn’t just leave—he needed to. It was a seismic decision, a moment that sent shockwaves through world football. Although his contract ran through 2026, Klopp announced in early 2024 that the current season would be his last. After eight and a half extraordinary seasons, he was saying goodbye.

'Will you ever coach again?—at this moment, I would say no’

“I understand it may be a shock, but I can explain. I love absolutely everything about this club—the city, the fans, the team, the staff… but I’m running out of energy. I’m fine, I just don’t feel strong enough to do this job over and over again. After so many years, you deserved me to tell you the truth,” he explained in a moving farewell video. “I don’t know how I’ll feel later. If you ask me now, Will you ever coach again?—at this moment, I would say no. But honestly… I don’t know how I’ll feel down the line. I’ve never been in this situation before. What I do know, with absolute certainty, is that I will never manage another English club besides Liverpool.”

And with that, Klopp stepped into the unknown. He would never walk alone, but he did stop walking at Anfield. He left behind a legacy—but the most telling part was his own admission of uncertainty. “I don’t know how I’ll feel later.” It was a leap into unfamiliar territory, into a new environment with unclear contours.

And now, just four months into his new role with Red Bull, he’s already contemplating walking away from it.

There’s no hiding it—Klopp isn’t happy in this new role. It doesn’t suit him. Perhaps he might find a better fit at a different institution, in a different kind of backroom setup—perhaps. But that’s purely speculative. What’s clear is that being Red Bull’s Global Director of Football doesn’t ignite any passion or excitement in him. It doesn’t make him leap out of bed in the morning.

And so, he’s now seriously weighing the idea of returning to the bench. Fortunately, there are no contractual barriers: when Klopp signed with Red Bull, it was explicitly agreed that he would be allowed to leave freely should he wish to resume coaching.

He hasn’t made a final decision yet. Nothing is set in stone. But according to those closest to him, he is open—very open—to listening to an offer. Specifically, an offer from Brazil or Real Madrid. His known weaknesses. For now, Klopp remains in wait-and-see mode.

What will happen with Ancelotti?

It would take nothing short of a miracle for Carlo Ancelotti to remain in charge at Real Madrid. Saying it’s unlikely would be an understatement. There’s a growing feeling within the club that it’s time for a new direction, a fresh start—across the board.

That said, nothing has been finalised just yet. If Ancelotti manages to win both La Liga and the Copa del Rey, he might buy himself time—enough to make it to the Club World Cup, at least. And perhaps, in that window, he could pull off the comeback of all comebacks.

Carletto’s options are limited, but he hasn’t been counted out. Meanwhile, Real Madrid is already engaged in internal discussions about potential successors. No contracts have been offered, no formal steps have been taken—but the conversations haven’t stopped.

And in those ongoing deliberations, Klopp’s name keeps surfacing. All indications suggest that the shortlist comes down to just two names: Jürgen Klopp and Xabi Alonso.

Déjà vu, 2015. Klopp could have arrived at the Bernabéu nearly a decade ago. In fact, as fate would have it, he was chosen back then to replace none other than Ancelotti himself. Only a year had passed since the club’s long-awaited Décima, but Real Madrid finished the season without any silverware—second in La Liga, eliminated in the Champions League semifinals by Juventus, and knocked out of the Copa del Rey in the Round of 16 by Atlético de Madrid.

At Madrid, that’s the recipe for dismissal. It happened to Pellegrini. To Mourinho. And yes, even to Carletto. That’s the exact buzz circulating once again this season. Florentino Pérez launched a managerial search with one specific, now-iconic requirement: “He must speak perfect Spanish.” The phrase went viral, and soon reached Klopp himself, who responded with characteristic humour during his farewell press conference at Dortmund.

When asked about Madrid’s interest and the language demand, he replied, smiling: “Una cerveza, por favor!” In perfect Spanish. Then came the laughter. Classic Jürgen.

Ultimately, though, the deal never materialised. The club went with Rafa Benítez, and the rest is history. Klopp, who had already won hearts during his spell at Dortmund, found his next chapter at Liverpool—where he spent eight and a half unforgettable seasons. Until he walked away, abruptly and out of necessity.

Tense calm. Nothing has been finalised. Negotiations haven’t even begun. But Klopp is now a very real option to succeed Ancelotti. His name is on the table, officially.

Real Madrid is actively evaluating candidates, and all signs currently point toward one of two outcomes: Xabi Alonso or Jürgen Klopp. Should Ancelotti leave at the end of the season—and that still hinges on the outcomes in La Liga and the Copa del Rey—the club is ready to act quickly. The Club World Cup looms large, and the stakes will only rise.

No decisions have been made. But the horizon is filled with possibilities.

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And among them is Klopp. That same old wish. That eternal fascination. A coach who may already be glancing sideways at the dugout once again—and who may just pivot forward if the opportunity comes from Brazil or Real Madrid. He is the ace up the sleeve. The hidden card in the deck. The dark horse waiting in the wings.

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