Klopp Still in Frame for Real Madrid Role as Perez Grows Weary of Huijsen Gamble

Jurgen Klopp's Red Bull honeymoon period hasn't stopped the rumour mill linking the German with a potential summer switch to the Bernabéu, with Real Madrid hierarchy reportedly keeping the door open for a managerial change.

The former Liverpool chief departed Anfield at the end of 2023/24 after Arne Slot arrived and promptly claimed the Premier League title—Madrid's first since 2020. Klopp has since settled into his Global Soccer role across Red Bull's portfolio, which includes RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg, and New York Red Bulls.

Yet speculation about his next move refuses to die. Real Madrid sacked Xabi Alonso in January following a 3-2 Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona, with months of tension over tactics and dressing room discord reportedly building beforehand. Alonso, who has also been courted by Manchester City and Liverpool, was shown the door as the club reassessed its direction.

Current manager Álvaro Arbeloa finds himself under similar scrutiny, with Madrid now four points adrift of Barcelona in La Liga after dropping two of their last three league matches. Reports suggest his position will be reviewed at season's end, and Klopp sits atop the bookmakers' list for the vacancy.

His agent Marc Kosicke has moved quickly to pour cold water on the speculation, however. "There is no need to answer questions about matters that are just rumours. Nobody has contacted us at this time," Kosicke stated. "Jurgen Klopp is very happy with his current role at Red Bull, and what is being said about negotiations to coach Real Madrid are just rumours for now."

Spanish reports nonetheless claim Florentino Perez and Real Madrid's hierarchy "are open to the possibility" of Klopp taking charge down the line. The club's thinking appears straightforward: if Madrid secure La Liga or the Champions League this season, Arbeloa stays. Should the campaign end empty-handed, however, Klopp's name would resurface with genuine traction.

Off the pitch, Perez appears to be reassessing his summer business. Dean Huijsen, the centre-back brought in for €62.5 million and personally championed by the Madrid president, has failed to justify the investment in his debut campaign. The Spain international has already been placed on the transfer list, with Perez reportedly regretting the timing of the move and believing it came too early in Huijsen's development.

Real Madrid are now prepared to offload the defender if offers approach what they originally paid.