At a glance
- Jürgen Klopp is not currently a candidate for the Real Madrid coaching job
- The former Liverpool manager is serving as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, working in a strategic executive role rather than hands-on management
- His long-term ambition points toward the Germany national team, not the Bernabéu
Jürgen Klopp and Real Madrid have been linked many times before – but once again, those roads are not meeting. Despite growing speculation over who could lead the next Real Madrid project, Klopp is not part of the current process at Valdebebas.
The German coach is admired by the club, but admiration is not the same as candidacy. According to AS, Real Madrid are considering other profiles and Klopp has not entered the internal debates for the position.
Why Klopp does not fit the Real Madrid picture right now
The connection is easy to understand. Klopp has the personality, European pedigree and authority to manage a dressing room full of stars. His name also carries enormous weight after his spells at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. But the timing does not fit. Klopp stepped away from day-to-day coaching after leaving Liverpool in 2024 and later moved into a different kind of football role.
Red Bull officially installed him as Head of Global Soccer in January 2025, with responsibilities across the company’s multi-club network rather than direct management from the touchline. Real Madrid are looking for a head coach. Klopp, for now, is working in a strategic executive role. That distinction matters.
Germany, not Madrid, remains Klopp’s long-term objective
The key part of the story is not Madrid – it[s Germany. Multiple reports indicate that Klopp’s long-term coaching ambition is tied to the German national team. He is not rushing that scenario and continues to respect Julian Nagelsmann’s current position, but that pathway remains the one most closely associated with his eventual return to management.
That makes a move to Real Madrid unlikely in the current context. Not because Klopp lacks appeal. Because he appears to be waiting for a different job and not that to replace Alvaro Arbeloa.
A familiar rumour with little substance behind it
Klopp-to-Madrid has been a recurring rumour for more than a decade, especially since his Borussia Dortmund side faced Real Madrid in Europe with players like Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus and Mario Götze emerging on the biggest stage. Every time Real Madrid need a coach, his name returns.
This time is no different, but the substance behind it is weak. AS reports that Klopp has not been included among the names discussed at Valdebebas, while other outlets also relay that the club are not considering him as an option to replace Arbeloa.
Real Madrid’s search continues without Klopp
The pressure around Madrid’s bench is real. The season has raised doubts, the dressing room needs strong leadership, and the club’s next decision will shape the direction of the project. But Klopp is not the answer being prepared. At the moment, it’s believed that Jose Mourinho is Florentino Perez’s preferred candidate.
For now, Real Madrid are searching elsewhere. Klopp remains at Red Bull – and the Germany job, whenever it opens, still looks like the role that could eventually pull him back to the touchline.
