Enrique Riquelme, a presidential candidate for Real Madrid, has promised to bring Jürgen Klopp on board as the club’s new head coach if he wins the election on Sunday.
Riquelme, who is challenging the current president, Florentino Pérez, stated on Friday that he is confident in his ability to lure Klopp back into coaching.
Should he be elected, Riquelme plans for his designated sporting director, former Real Madrid striker Raúl González, to reach out to the former Liverpool manager the very next day. Klopp has not taken on a new coaching role since leaving Anfield in 2024.
“We understand that Jürgen Klopp has publicly expressed he has no immediate plans to return to coaching and has declined multiple offers,” Riquelme remarked.
“This is why we believe that the challenge presented by Real Madrid is unique. While there are many great clubs, only one is Real Madrid, which uniquely embodies tradition, future aspirations, values, and excellence.”
“If the members show their confidence in me this Sunday, then on Monday, Raúl will reach out to Jürgen to personally share our vision and our hope for him to spearhead a new era for Real Madrid.”
“We are discussing one of the finest coaches of our generation. More importantly, he is a leader capable of restoring Real Madrid’s competitive spirit, rigorous demands, professionalism, meritocracy, unity within the squad, and the pride associated with excellence that have defined our club’s storied history.”
However, Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke responded to Riquelme’s statements, asserting that there is no possibility for Klopp to take over as Real Madrid’s coach.
“It’s frustrating! Jürgen Klopp is content in his role at Red Bull and has no aspirations to coach a club,” Kosicke conveyed to Sky Sports Germany.
Riquelme’s announcement comes at the end of a week where both he and Pérez have attempted to sway Madrid’s members ahead of the election with ambitious commitments.
Previously, Riquelme has introduced Raúl as the sporting director and appointed former Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque as an advisor. He also stirred controversy with Manchester City by suggesting his intention to sign midfielder Rodri and striker Erling Haaland.
His comments regarding Haaland particularly annoyed the Premier League club, which is reportedly considering legal action against Riquelme for utilizing the image of the Norwegian international.
Meanwhile, Pérez has confirmed that if he is re-elected, José Mourinho will be appointed as the club’s new manager, with Benfica indicating that Madrid would need to pay Mourinho’s €15 million release clause.
Pérez is also planning to pursue transfers for Ibrahima Konaté and Denzel Dumfries. He has also vowed to offer €150 million for one of the biggest stars in football on Tuesday should he retain his position, though he did not disclose who that player might be.
On Sunday, Madrid’s members will vote between Riquelme and Pérez in the club’s first contested election in two decades.
This election follows two consecutive seasons without a major trophy for Pérez, 79, who has been at the helm for 23 of the last 26 years.
Riquelme, 37, a renewable energy entrepreneur, emerged as Pérez’s only opponent last month after he claimed that a portion of the Spanish media was conducting a smear campaign against him and Real Madrid.