Jurgen Klopp laughs off Real Madrid links as Alonso exits Bernabeu

According to Goal, Jurgen Klopp laughed off a reporter’s cheeky remark linking him to Real Madrid as his name continues to be mentioned among candidates to succeed Xabi Alonso, who was sacked after less than eight months in charge. Klopp, 58, has been out of work since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season and has been strongly linked with a move to the Bernabeu.

Stopping for an interview with ESPN Netherlands while attending the NBA game in Berlin, he responded to the line that “they really love basketball at Real Madrid as well” with his trademark laugh and: “Yeah, it’s great. Maybe some of them [at Real] watched the game tonight.” He is widely regarded as one of the leading managers of his generation, having led Liverpool to the 2019-20 Premier League title and earlier won back-to-back Bundesliga championships with Borussia Dortmund.

Alonso left following months of speculation and a 3-2 Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona; Real said the decision was by “mutual consent” and added that “Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans.” He has been replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa, whose first match ended in a 3-2 Copa del Rey loss to second-division Albacete.

Key Topics

Sports, Jurgen Klopp, Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Liverpool