Klopp breaks silence on Real Madrid links before Mourinho appointment: ‘There is Jose now’ | OneFootball

Not too long ago, Real Madrid were desperately looking for a new manager to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at the helm, and several names were linked as possible replacements at the time.

Florentino Perez had a clear blueprint in mind as he was only eyeing an experienced name who had enjoyed serial success and could control the egos in the dressing room.

Jurgen Klopp, on that front, was linked as a serious candidate to take over, especially given reports of the tensions around his current position at Red Bull.

The Real Madrid presidential elections only furthered that interest as it came to light that Enrique Riquelme was interested in making Klopp the manager for ‘his’ project, although there was never any confirmation from the German tactician’s side.

Klopp’s reaction to the Real Madrid opportunity

As part of a recent interview, Klopp was asked if he ever saw Real Madrid as an option to return to the coaching scene, especially given the links of him possibly taking over this summer.

Klopp was heavily linked with Real Madrid. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

“If Real Madrid has been an option for me? There is Jose (Mourinho) now. That’s fine. So there are no comments,” he said via AS, smoothly dismissing the topic.

Mourinho was then asked if he would return to training again, and the former Liverpool manager once again nonchalantly dodged the question.

“Will I train again? I train every day, at the gym. Jokes aside, we’ll see.” 

His statements, needless to say, make it clear that a return to coaching was not really on the manager’s mind this summer despite Real Madrid being interested.

Klopp is currently enjoying a hiatus from the stress of professional coaching, and it remains unknown if he will return to the scene and when.

Real Madrid’s road ahead

The new Real Madrid manager. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Florentino Perez eventually opted for Jose Mourinho as the team’s preferred replacement for Alvaro Arbeloa, and the Portuguese coach is already dictating the terms at the club.

Quite surprisingly, Los Blancos have handed complete control of the transfer decisions to the manager and he is having a free hand in every move the club makes.

The club, slowly but surely, are finding order in the chaos. Mourinho has already beefed up the defence, and is only pushing harder to ensure the squad get a complete makeover ahead of his first game in charge.