Jurgen Klopp's career 'regret' admission speaks volumes with Real Madrid job vacant

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Jurgen Klopp would feel no "regret" if he ended his career having not coached Real Madrid. In fact, it seems he wouldn't look back with any sense of longing if he didn't manage another club again, full stop.

The former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz manager is being linked with the Real job after Xabi Alonso was fired. And not for the first time, either, with speculation emerging that he could take over at the Bernabeu when Carlo Ancelotti left last summer.

He was also touted as a future Real boss back in 2021 when his Liverpool side faced Los Blancos in the Champions League quarter-finals. His situation was more complex, considering he was still at the peak of his Anfield powers at the time, but even then, he downplayed any chance of taking over the role.

"At the end of my career, if I had only three clubs then it is not too bad, eh? I would not regret it, he told reporters at the time," he said. "When we flew out I regret we don’t live here! The weather is so much better here. You are blessed!"

During a recent live broadcast on ServusTV On , the German was asked about whether his phone has been ringing in light of Alonso's exit. And while he confirmed it has, he said Real haven't been on the other end.

"It actually has [been ringing] - though not from Madrid,” he said. "But yes, there were definitely a few people who felt they had to contact me directly about it!

"First of all, I think it’s another sign that something isn’t quite right there at the moment. If Xabi Alonso, who over the last two years in Leverkusen has shown what an outstanding coaching talent he is – and I think at his age and with the number of jobs he’s had, you can say that — is then forced to leave Madrid just six months later, it shows a few things.

"On the one hand, it shows that nowadays there’s no time anymore. On the other, the expectations at Real Madrid are obviously enormous. To make a decision like that in the heat of the moment, after losing a [Spanish Super Cup] final to Barcelona yesterday, says a lot."

From those comments, it appears Klopp isn't a fan of how things are done in the Spanish capital. Ex-Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa has taken the reins at Real as caretaker coach after Alonso was moved on just seven months into his contract.

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Liverpool, by comparison, thrived with Klopp after showing a lot more patience under his regime. Granted, the pressures to challenge for the biggest titles in Europe may not be as high at Anfield as they are in Madrid, but it still seems to lack the kind of atmosphere that Klopp would feel comfortable in.

It makes sense considering Klopp was also entrusted with a great amount of faith during his spells at Dortmund and Mainz. He exceeded expectations in both posts, so it stands to reason a club at the pinnacle of pressure may not be his ideal setting.

In any case, the Anfield icon appears content in his new role as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer , a position he has now served for one year. And if Real are hoping to make a major appointment to fill Alonso's vacancy, it seems Klopp will remain out of reach.

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