Fabrizio Romano: Klopp content in Red Bull role despite Real Madrid interest | OneFootball

Jurgen Klopp, Red Bull and Real Madrid: Fabrizio Romano Sheds Light on Future Plans

Madrid’s Managerial Maze

It’s a rare thing to witness Real Madrid in disarray, but the end of Carlo Ancelotti’s reign at the Santiago Bernabéu appears destined to be marked more by disappointment than by dignity. A season that has fallen short on multiple fronts – second-best in LaLiga, heartbreak in the Copa del Rey, and a Champions League dismantling at the hands of Arsenal – has left Madrid preparing the ground for change.

Ancelotti’s impending departure is cushioned by his move to the Brazilian national team, a post that always beckoned with a sense of inevitability. But attention now turns sharply to his successor. Xabi Alonso, architect of Bayer Leverkusen’s renaissance, remains the clear frontrunner – not simply admired but, as Fabrizio Romano noted, “option number one, two and three” for Real Madrid’s hierarchy.

Klopp’s Curious Position

And yet, amid the speculation, one name stubbornly resurfaces: Jurgen Klopp. After his emotionally-charged Liverpool exit, the German coach found refuge in a new role – Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull – and seemingly stepped away from the frenetic churn of touchline life. But questions persist. Is this just a sabbatical disguised as a strategic role? And if Real Madrid did come calling, would Klopp say no?

Romano addressed these murmurs with authority:

“I keep receiving many questions on Jurgen Klopp… there is some people at Real Madrid having a high opinion of Klopp, really appreciating Klopp.”

However, he swiftly tempered the excitement:

“At the moment I’m not aware of anything advanced, also because the agent of Klopp has already gone public and clarified how happy he is at Red Bull.”

Romano’s update also revealed a telling detail about Klopp’s current involvement:

“I’m told Klopp had direct contact with [Como manager] Cesc Fabregas a few weeks ago to speak about the Leipzig project.”

The Red Bull commitment appears genuine – for now.

Alonso Over All Else

The path to Madrid, should Klopp ever wish to tread it, appears blocked for the foreseeable future. Real Madrid’s focus is singular: Alonso. It’s a case of when, not if. The only variable remains Bayer Leverkusen’s cooperation in the exit process, but with Alonso reportedly open to a return to his former club, that hurdle looks modest at best.

“Real Madrid still believe Alonso is option number one, two and three to become the new head coach,” Romano reported.

Photo: IMAGO

In football, allegiances shift fast, but at Madrid, a certain nostalgia for Alonso’s poise and pedigree in white seems to be driving a coherent vision – something rare in the modern managerial market.

Red Bull Role No Retirement

Klopp’s current role is far from ceremonial. His influence in Red Bull’s sporting operations, including managerial appointments, suggests a figure still deeply immersed in shaping modern football from behind the curtain.

“Just arrived a few months ago and taking care of the [manager search] at Leipzig,” Romano confirmed.

This hands-on approach is no mere holding pattern; it’s a pivot into power and long-term influence. Yet, for all his strategic manoeuvring, one can’t help but wonder if the adrenaline of matchdays might eventually lure him back.

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For Liverpool fans and general football romantics, the idea of Jurgen Klopp walking out of the Santiago Bernabéu dugout in a Real Madrid suit is hard to digest. Klopp’s identity was forged in opposition – a charismatic leader who shaped Dortmund and Liverpool into clubs that dared to challenge the elite. To see him take over the establishment itself would feel… off.

That said, the man has always been more pragmatic than purist. If Klopp grows weary of Red Bull’s boardroom battles or feels his influence isn’t matched by action, Madrid might eventually become more tempting than it currently seems. For now, fans can rest easy: Klopp is focused elsewhere. But Real Madrid’s admiration is no small compliment – it’s a signal that Klopp’s reputation remains as gilded as ever.