Report: Klopp’s Agent Responds as Real Madrid Make Next Move Clear | OneFootball

Jurgen Klopp, Real Madrid and the Noise of Nostalgia

Red Bull Role Reflects Klopp’s New Ambition

Jurgen Klopp’s post-Liverpool journey was always going to carry a weight of intrigue. When a manager known for passion, presence and perpetual motion steps away from the touchline, speculation is inevitable. But even by his standards, the noise surrounding his next steps has been particularly loud—especially with Real Madrid’s managerial seat warming in the aftermath of their Champions League exit.

Yet if Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke is to be believed, this particular story can be put to bed for now.

“Jurgen is very happy with his new role as head of global soccer at Red Bull,” Kosicke told Sky Germany, ending the Madrid chatter with the firmness of a full-time whistle.

For Klopp, now embedded in a strategic role shaping Red Bull’s global football vision, the lure of the dugout may remain strong—but it is clearly not irresistible. Reports suggest that not only Brazil, but also Madrid have explored the idea of tempting the German back into the cauldron of elite coaching. However, Kosicke confirmed that Klopp “is not interested in taking up a new role in the dugout next year.”

Madrid’s Sights Set Elsewhere

Real Madrid’s own situation adds complexity. Carlo Ancelotti’s reign, distinguished but increasingly stale, is expected to draw to a close this summer. After falling to Arsenal in Europe, a changing of the guard seems imminent.

But rather than reviving links to Klopp—a manager long admired by Madrid’s hierarchy—the Spanish giants are seemingly ready to court a more familiar flame. Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso, who played under Ancelotti and embodies the club’s ethos with elegance, has emerged as the top target.

Madrid officials, are reportedly, set to “ramp up a reunion” with Alonso, hoping to bring him in before the Club World Cup this summer. The move would require delicate negotiation with Leverkusen, where Alonso remains under contract until 2026.

Photo: IMAGO

In contrast, Klopp’s name—despite its media mileage—has barely featured in the serious internal conversations at the Bernabéu.

The Allure of Klopp Still Endures

That Klopp’s name still dominates such rumours speaks volumes of his stature. Even in a desk-bound role, he draws links to the world’s top jobs. It’s nostalgia, in part. The image of Klopp pacing the technical area, fists pumping, celebrating with fans and inspiring players, remains vivid. And Madrid, with their perennial thirst for success and spectacle, make for a natural pairing in the minds of fans and journalists alike.

But that vision may be stuck in the past. Klopp’s own ambitions appear to have shifted. After almost a decade of transforming Liverpool, perhaps he sees his future in shaping not just teams, but systems and ideas on a broader scale.

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For Liverpool fans, this saga plays out like watching an old hero being summoned by another stage. It’s flattering to see Klopp’s name still tossed about when elite roles open up, but it also reinforces just how irreplaceable his impact was at Anfield. The thought of him at Real Madrid might raise eyebrows, but it wouldn’t feel right—not after what he built in Liverpool. His emotional intelligence, his deep connection with the club, the city, and its people—those traits don’t transplant easily.

Instead, there’s a quiet comfort in seeing Klopp step back. After everything—Champions League triumph, Premier League glory, rebuilding a broken giant—it feels right that he’s taking time for something different. Fans will miss the animated touchline presence, but there’s a respect for the man who knows when to step aside.

And if he ever does return to the dugout, the hope is it’s somewhere that fits his ethos. Not necessarily Madrid’s galáctico glitz, but something that speaks to identity and soul—just like Liverpool once did.