Jürgen Klopp has confirmed that he has not heard from Real Madrid following Xabi Alonso’s departure and emphasized that the decision to let him go was unrelated to him.
Since leaving Liverpool in 2024, Klopp has taken on the role of head of global soccer at Red Bull.
Amid discussions about the managerial vacancy at Madrid, he was asked if he had been contacted since Alonso’s exit.
“Rumors have been floating around for a while. I understand your question, but this situation has nothing to do with me,” Klopp stated on the Austrian channel Servus TV, as reported by EFE.
“I did get a call, but not from Madrid,” he joked, maintaining that the news “hasn’t impacted him at all.”
Klopp acknowledged Alonso’s abilities as a coach, suggesting that his departure after just six months reflects underlying issues at the club. “This indicates multiple things: firstly, that coaches no longer have much time, and secondly, that the expectations at Real Madrid are understandably immense,” he noted.
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Why Xabi Alonso’s sacking is a ‘big surprise’ from Real Madrid
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Klopp expressed disbelief at Alonso’s exit, observing that speculation about friction between the coach and the players emerged quite early in his tenure. “When you follow a coaching legend like Carlo Ancelotti, and attempt to enforce new approaches, it seems like a significant challenge this time around,” he said.
He expressed sympathy for Alonso, recognizing him as a talented coach, and is optimistic about his future prospects.
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When asked if Alonso might join Liverpool now that he’s free, Klopp suggested that he doesn’t foresee Alonso leaving his current role in Spain “to immediately start somewhere else.” However, he acknowledged that many transitions could happen over the summer, leading to a “reshuffling” in the coaching market.
“It’s quite alright to observe this process without feeling pressured to consider how it might affect me personally. I’m currently in the right position,” he concluded.