The connections between Real Madrid and Liverpool seem to be growing even stronger this season. Reports indicate that Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold could be heading to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Meanwhile, in terms of management, Real Madrid’s top target to replace Carlo Ancelotti is none other than the same coach Liverpool had once considered to succeed Jurgen Klopp.
Additionally, Arne Slot’s predecessor has now entered the picture as a backup option for Real Madrid if their first choice falls through.
At the moment, former Real Madrid legend Xabi Alonso remains the frontrunner to take over from Ancelotti at the end of the season. However, a surprising twist has emerged as Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund boss, has now been identified as a serious candidate.
Klopp, who recently took up the role of Head of Global Football at Red Bull, seems to have drawn attention from Madrid’s top brass.
It’s been revealed that a close advisor to Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is particularly keen on bringing the German tactician back into club management.
According to Marca, Alonso and his current club Bayer Leverkusen are still waiting for direct communication from Real Madrid to clarify their next move.
Nevertheless, the Spanish outlet also reports that Klopp has already been contacted on at least two occasions by someone claiming to represent Real Madrid’s interests. These calls were apparently made to assess Klopp’s openness to returning to coaching in the near future.
Despite this interest, Klopp’s agent, Marc Kosicke, has moved quickly to dismiss speculation suggesting Klopp is unhappy in his new role at Red Bull. In recent comments, Kosicke emphasized that Klopp has a binding contract with the Red Bull group and implied that the German is not currently considering a return to club management.
Even so, the rumors linking Klopp to Real Madrid refuse to die down entirely, keeping the possibility alive for now.
One complicating factor in Alonso’s potential appointment is the financial aspect. Although there is an agreement in place between Bayer Leverkusen and Alonso that would allow him to leave if Real Madrid comes calling, the Spanish giants would still need to pay a significant transfer fee to secure his services.
Similarly, if Klopp were to be pried away from Red Bull, it’s likely that a sizable compensation package would be required to facilitate his release from his current position.
In any case, both Klopp and Alonso are firmly in the frame for what could be one of the most high-profile coaching jobs in Europe this summer, and Real Madrid must decide soon who will lead the next era at the Bernabeu.
