Following their decision to part ways with Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid have named former full-back Alvaro Arbeloa as their caretaker manager and are on the hunt for a new head coach. And, legendary Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has opined on the current vacant role.
Jürgen Klopp Distances Himself From Real Madrid Job
During a recent chat with Servus TV, Klopp was asked if his phone had started ringing after Alonso departed from Real Madrid, who have recently been linked with the German.
However, the Red Bull Global Head of Soccer clarified that speculation about his return to management at Real Madrid is far from the truth. He said, “This has nothing to do with me and it doesn’t affect me at all. Coaching jobs are always changing and it’s nice to watch from the outside without worrying about what it might mean for you personally. Where I am right now is exactly where I should be.”
Klopp, who helped Liverpool win eight trophies between 2015 and 2024, also expressed his opinion on Alonso’s recent sacking after just seven months in charge of Los Blancos.
“(His exit) is a sign that things aren’t completely right there if Xabi Alonso, who showed for more than two years in Bayer Leverkusen what an extraordinary coaching talent he is, has to leave Real Madrid after only six months,” the former Borussia Dortmund and FSV Mainz boss added.
“When you take over from a legendary coach like Carlo Ancelotti, who had a very clear way of leading his team, it’s incredibly difficult to come in and change things. That’s what made the situation too complicated for Xabi Alonso. I genuinely feel for him because I think he’s a fantastic coach,” Klopp concluded.
READ MORE: Fans React to New Real Madrid Coach After Xabi Alonso’s Exit
Alonso, who played for Liverpool before relishing a five-year stint at Real Madrid from 2009 to 2014, was in charge of Los Merengues for 34 overall matches. The 2023-24 Bundesliga-winning manager guided the club to 24 wins and six losses in the 2025-26 campaign.
With Alonso gone, Arbeloa has left the role of head coach at Real Madrid Castilla and will be in the dugout for Los Blancos‘ next contest. The Santiago Bernabeu outfit are set to take on second-tier side Albacete in a Copa del Rey last-16 encounter on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Meanwhile, Alonso has left his former club in second spot in the La Liga table with 45 points from 19 league matches. The club are currently four points behind arch-rivals Barcelona.
