Liverpool receive fresh Jurgen Klopp return hope

Cameron Smith

• 2 Mar 2026 04:15 CST
• 4 min read

News

Liverpool fans have received a fresh boost in their bid for Jurgen Klopp to return to the club as a replacement for Arne Slot.

Slot, 47, guided the Reds to just their second ever Premier League title during his debut campaign at Anfield last year, but his side have regressed this term and they are now locked in a battle to secure Champions League football.

Liverpool are currently fifth in the English top flight table and their hopes of booking their place in Europe’s elite club competition next season have been helped by three consecutive wins in the Premier League.

However, Slot’s long-term future at the club remains in doubt and the Dutchman has continuously been linked with an exit throughout the 2025-26 season, despite their recent upturn in form.

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been heavily tipped as a potential replacement, following his departure from his role at Real Madrid earlier this year, while rumours suggest that Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola may also be a candidate for the job this summer.

Klopp has been linked with a sensational return too and he left the door open to rejoining Liverpool during an appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast last year.

“I said I will never coach another team, a different team, in England,” he admitted. “So that means if then it’s Liverpool… yeah. Theoretically, it’s possible.”

Klopp is currently Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull Group, however widespread rumours have hinted that he could leave his role this year before returning to management.

A move to Real Madrid has been heavily mooted amid their pursuit of a new permanent head coach, although a return to Liverpool could also potentially be on the cards, especially as Los Blancos have now reportedly identified an alternative contender for the job.

Julian Nagelsmann to Real Madrid?

Reports in Spain have previously claimed that Klopp is the favourite to become the next permanent Real Madrid manager when Alvaro Arbeloa’s spell as interim boss ends this summer, but Defensa Central now state that Julian Nagelsmann is instead wanted by Florentino Perez.

The Germany national team manager rejected an offer from Los Blancos back in 2018 and the Spanish giants are now reportedly ready to rekindle their interest in his services following this summer’s World Cup.

Nagelsmann’s current contract with Germany is due to expire in 2028, however it’s claimed that he will be allowed to depart after the World Cup if he requests an exit.

As a result, if Real Madrid are able to finalise a deal for Nagelsmann, as reportedly planned, then it could open up the door for Klopp to rejoin Liverpool if Slot is sacked.

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