Real Madrid explore Klopp option after Alonso departure

January 16, 2026 Oliver Obel

Real Madrid are once again confronting a familiar question: how to reset after upheaval at the top. Following Xabi Alonso’s sudden departure this week, internal discussions have begun around a potential successor who would signal both authority and ambition at the Santiago Bernabeu.

While no decision is imminent, early reporting suggests the club’s leadership is exploring options that could reshape not just the dugout, but the broader sporting project.

Alonso departure sparks search

Alonso left his position on Monday after Madrid’s 3–2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final. The timing caught many supporters off guard, and subsequent coverage has pointed to internal friction as a contributing factor rather than results alone.

Florentino Perez is now weighing longer-term alternatives. According to reporting from Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, later amplified by Madrid Xtra, Jurgen Klopp is among the names under consideration for a permanent appointment.

Klopp profile appeals to Madrid

Klopp has not coached since stepping away from Liverpool at the end of the 2023–24 season, when he transitioned into a strategic role as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull. When asked previously about links to Madrid, he acknowledged the scale and difficulty of the challenge.

At 58, Klopp has never managed in La Liga, but German media reports suggest Madrid view that as secondary to his reputation for rebuilding elite squads under pressure. Plettenberg notes that this capacity for cultural and competitive reset aligns with what the club is currently seeking.

During his nine-year spell at Anfield, Klopp delivered every major trophy available, including the Premier League and Champions League. Most notably, he guided Liverpool to a league title they had pursued since 1990, cementing his standing as a transformational coach.

Still, sources close to the situation indicate Klopp has not yet been convinced that now is the right moment to return to day-to-day management.

Transfer ambition as persuasion

Madrid’s hierarchy has often paired managerial changes with bold transfer statements, and this case may be no different. Multiple reports indicate Perez is entertaining the idea of pursuing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as part of a wider vision.

Haaland had been monitored by Madrid before joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. Now 25, he remains one of Europe’s most prolific forwards and continues to set the standard in the Premier League.

City, however, hold a strong position. Haaland signed a new long-term contract in January 2025 that runs until 2034, meaning any deal would require an extraordinary financial commitment. Even so, reporting suggests the striker views a move to the Bernabeu as a long-term ambition rather than a closed chapter.

Klopp’s long-standing admiration

Klopp’s appreciation of Haaland dates back to their Premier League meetings. Speaking after a 2022 encounter with Manchester City, he offered a detailed assessment of the striker’s qualities:

“When (Haaland) was very young, you could see the potential, it was insane. Physically he sets new standards, the combination of being really physical and technical and sensational awareness, his orientation on the pitch is exceptional, he knows always where the decisive gaps are, barely offside.”

Klopp added:

“Obviously, when you play against somebody at the moment who is the best striker in the world, you have to make sure he doesn't get that many balls.”

Whether admiration alone can bridge the gap between speculation and reality remains unclear. For now, Madrid’s planning reflects familiar instincts: when faced with instability, the club looks not just for solutions but for statements.

Sources: Sky Sports Germany, Madrid Xtra, GIVEMESPORT