Jurgen Klopp to return ‘sooner than expected’: Real Madrid ‘only’ club that can entice him

Robin Bairner

4 Mar 2026 07:40 GMT
4 min read

Jurgen Klopp, Real Madrid, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s return to coaching is set to come “sooner than expected”, with Real Madrid lining up a move for Red Bull’s current head of global soccer.

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Klopp stepped down from Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season after nearly a decade in charge of the Anfield club before moving into an overseeing role with Red Bull.

The German’s performance in his new post has been what his employers had hoped, and he is now eager to return to the dugout, according to a report from Sky Sport Switzerland.

© IMAGO - Jurgen Klopp: Red Bull's head of global soccer

Jurgen Klopp eyes management return

Klopp is eyeing a return to management. His current role is “too far from the adrenaline of the pitch”, the report states.

Furthermore, Red Bull is looking at the possibility of restructuring their organisation in the summer. It is claimed that “the current dynamic is less than satisfactory”.

It has, however, firmly denied previous rumours that Klopp might be sacked.

Real Madrid at the top of the list

Real Madrid are clearly in pole position when it comes to appointing Klopp.

Since the sacking of Xabi Alonso in January, there have been rumours that Klopp is top of their shortlist for the job, and given the club’s reticence to commit to Alvaro Arbeloa on a long-term basis, this would seem to add up.

Indeed, reports in Spain have spoken of Klopp having already laid out transfer demands worth €200 million for Los Blancos if he is to take the post.

Sky Sport adds: “Should he return to a club, Madrid would currently be the only destination truly capable of enticing him.”

Premier League return ruled out

Klopp is unlikely to return to England. He will not take charge of another Premier League club out of his loyalty to Liverpool.

A return to the Reds, for whom his loyalty is said to be “unwavering”, is not totally discounted but seems unlikely.

Germany calling?

Beyond Real Madrid, the other serious possibility for Klopp’s future is the Germany national team.

This will become a possibility should Julian Nagelsmann depart the post after the World Cup.

In many ways, this could be Klopp’s ideal solution given national team management does not carry the day-to-day responsibility of a club role while also allowing him to remain close to the action.

Klopp saga has an inevitable conclusion

Red Bull might deny that Klopp’s time with them is growing short, but given the volume of reports from a wide variety of sources, the reality appears to be very different.

It appears that Klopp will be back in management very soon, but will it be Real Madrid, Germany or someone else entirely?

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