Real Madrid have reportedly added Jurgen Klopp to their managerial shortlist, though the German is apparently happy with his life away from football.
Alonso stepped down just seven months into his tenure following a heavy Supercopa loss to Barcelona, leaving Madrid to begin the search for a new manager.
Klopp has emerged as a rumoured candidate since then, but the links haven’t gone down well at Anfield.
Fabrizio Romano weighs in on Jurgen Klopp Real Madrid rumours
If anyone can add more clarity to these links, it’s Fabrizio Romano. The Italian is deep into a busy January window, but it’s been manager speculation keeping him busiest lately.
Addressing the Klopp-Madrid talk in a recent YouTube video, he said: “Many questions also on Jurgen Klopp. I can tell you guys Jurgen Klopp nothing is decided, nothing is agreed for sure.”
“He’s a manager super appreciated internally by people at Real Madrid like Florentino Perez. But still nothing pre-agreed.”
Klopp has been contacted about the vacancy, though no formal talks have taken place yet.
Alvaro Arbeloa has stepped up from Castilla on an interim basis, but it sounds as if Perez wants to pull the German back into management. I fear we may hear more about this in the near future.
Alvaro Arbeloa has been appointed as Real Madrid’s caretaker boss
It was no surprise to see Arbeloa handed the interim role while Madrid look for a long-term replacement.
The Athletic recently detailed how Perez wants a manager to play with intensity, pressing high and dominating possession, three things Klopp mastered at Liverpool.
Again, it might not mean much, but the details around the appointment are telling. If he is then asked to keep that up, it could be another move towards an eventual Klopp deal.
There’s been no official offer made yet. He hasn’t even started formal discussions with Perez, but you just know they’re not far away from happening.
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