Jurgen Klopp is being linked with a possible move to Real Madrid after Xabi Alonso's dismissal, with the former Liverpool boss said to be open to moving to the Bernabeu

Jurgen Klopp issued a quick response to Xabi Alonso's firing by Real Madrid – because he happened to be appearing on a live TV broadcast at the time that his exit was announced.

Alonso was given his marching orders fewer than 24 hours after Madrid's loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, despite having a higher than 70 percent win rate during his time in charge. He has been replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa, who played alongside Alonso for Liverpool, Madrid and Spain, but Madrid could look to appoint a marquee name during the summer.

Sky Germany reports that Klopp would give serious consideration to managing Madrid, were he to be approached about taking the job ahead of the 2026-27 season.

That's despite Klopp currently being employed by Red Bull as its head of global soccer, and also saying last year that he had little interest in returning to management.

Klopp was appearing on a TV broadcast when the news of Alonso's firing emerged, and said that the decision is a sign that all is not currently right at the Bernabeu.

"About two hours ago, the news suddenly broke that Xabi Alonso is no longer the coach of Real Madrid," the TV host said, before saying to Klopp: "So my question is this: has your phone already started ringing?"

Klopp responded: "It actually has — though not from Madrid. But yes, there were definitely a few people who felt they had to contact me directly about it.

"First of all, I think it’s another sign that something isn’t quite right there at the moment.

"If Xabi Alonso, who over the last two years in Leverkusen has shown what an outstanding coaching talent he is – and I think at his age and with the number of jobs he’s had, you can say that — is then forced to leave Madrid just six months later, it shows a few things.

"To make a decision like that in the heat of the moment, after losing a cup final to Barcelona yesterday, says a lot.

"I think we’d already been hearing rumors for a while.

Article continues below

"And now – I don’t know if that’s where your question was going – but this has absolutely nothing to do with me, and it didn’t trigger anything for me either, which would probably have been the follow-up question.

"I was surprised, that’s true – genuinely surprised.

"Then a few people messaged me, and I replied with various emojis." (Liverpool FC)

Update news