Klopp Open to Negotiations with Real Madrid
Perhaps they’ll reunite soon, but this time in white: Klopp and Alexander Arnold, Photo: Reuters
After unexpectedly parting ways with Liverpool, he found himself low on energy, but it appears he craves the thrill of real football, with a potential return on the horizon.
Jurgen Klopp, the renowned German coach and legend at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, is reportedly open to discussions with Real Madrid, who are keen on appointing him as their head coach.
This development was initially reported by “UOL Sport” and subsequently picked up by the Catalan newspaper “Sport”.
“Klopp is inching closer to Real Madrid, with the German tactician possibly being the secret weapon for Florentino Perez’s upcoming project,” adds the esteemed Catalan outlet.
The coach who revitalized both Borussia and Liverpool has been on the sidelines for a year following his departure from Anfield due to burnout. He has recently served as the sports director for the Red Bull Group but is now considering negotiations with the “royal club”.
Spanish media reports suggest that close associates mention he would return to coaching only for an appealing project, currently viewing offers from Real Madrid or the Brazilian national team.
Meanwhile, Perez is seriously contemplating hiring the famous German manager as a countermeasure to Hansi Flick’s appointment at Barcelona.
Upon leaving Liverpool, he stated that he no longer felt mentally prepared for the relentless pressure of daily coaching and intended to take a year-long hiatus from coaching, expressing concerns that he might have permanently said farewell to the profession.
However, after his break, it appears he longs for the responsibilities that come with coaching, which is his true passion—provided the project offers him autonomy and a realistic chance to achieve success.
As previously mentioned by Sport, some members of Real Madrid’s management view Klopp as the ideal candidate to “recalibrate the course”, given that Ancelotti, despite having another year on his contract, is already viewed as a potential outgoing figure, with the likes of Xabi Alonso and Zinedine Zidane also in the mix.
While Alonso was initially favored, Florentino is hesitant due to the club’s current crisis and concerns regarding Alonso’s less-than-stellar season at Leverkusen. Zidane remains a wildcard for Florentino, although a third term at the Bernabeu seems complicated.
Interestingly, Klopp was a target for Real even before he took the helm at Liverpool.
“Florentino Perez engaged in discussions with him multiple times, but their timelines and intentions never aligned. Now, Real Madrid believes that Klopp could provide a significant boost to the team—thanks to his discipline, character, and tactical acumen. They see him as the perfect figure to challenge Flick’s project at Barcelona,” Sport concludes.
If Klopp accepts this opportunity, the first signing he could pursue is Trent Alexander-Arnold, a player he promoted at Liverpool.
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