Rafael Nogueira
Real Madrid hold Jürgen Klopp in very high regard and consider him a world-class coach, according to Fabrizio Romano. However, despite this admiration, the club made no concrete move to appoint Klopp as their next head coach following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.
Klopp stepped away from frontline management nearly two years ago after leaving Liverpool. Since then, he has taken on the role of Global Head of Football within the Red Bull group, which owns RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig. On several occasions, Klopp has publicly stated that he has little desire to manage another club after his Liverpool tenure.
Xabi Alonso’s Departure Confirmed
Real Madrid have officially confirmed the departure of Xabi Alonso. After just over six months in charge of the first team, the Spanish coach’s stint came to an abrupt end following a painful defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.
Alonso arrived at the Bernabéu with high expectations after his impressive work at Bayer Leverkusen, and with the hope of replicating his success as a player. However, inconsistent results and a lack of convincing performances ultimately led the board to act, concluding that the team had failed to meet internal expectations.
His exit leaves a significant vacancy on one of the most high-profile benches in world football, with global attention now focused on who will lead Real Madrid through the remainder of the season and beyond.
Leading Names Linked to the Job
With the position open, several high-profile candidates have already emerged as potential successors:
Zinedine Zidane
A familiar face at the club, Zidane enjoyed immense success during his previous spell, winning three consecutive Champions League titles. While his name is always linked with Real Madrid, his future currently appears more aligned with the French national team than a third stint in Madrid.
Jürgen Klopp
Highly rated by the club’s hierarchy for his intensity, leadership, and tactical identity. Although he is currently working in a director-level role with Red Bull, a Real Madrid offer could potentially change the landscape.
Enzo Maresca
Recently released from his club, the Italian coach is seen as an intriguing option. His modern footballing ideas and ability to manage elite dressing rooms fit the profile Madrid are reportedly considering.
Julian Nagelsmann
Currently in charge of the German national team, Nagelsmann is regarded as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches. Several reports suggest he could leave his role after the World Cup, and the chance to manage Real Madrid would be a challenge few could refuse.
José Mourinho
While surprising to some, Mourinho could resurface as a candidate. Spanish media suggest Florentino Pérez still holds positive memories of his previous tenure, valuing Mourinho’s competitive edge and experience handling high-pressure environments. Despite not being at his peak recently, the president reportedly still considers him fully capable.
Álvaro Arbeloa Appointed as Interim Coach
Real Madrid have confirmed that Álvaro Arbeloa will take charge of the first team for the remainder of the season.
In an official statement, the club announced:
“Real Madrid CF announces that Álvaro Arbeloa is the new head coach of the first team.”
Arbeloa has been coaching Real Madrid Castilla since June 2025 and has spent his entire managerial career within the club’s academy since 2020. His résumé includes league titles at youth level, as well as a historic treble with Juvenil A in the 2022–23 season.
As a player, Arbeloa was part of one of the most successful eras in the club’s history between 2009 and 2016, making 238 appearances and winning eight major trophies, including two Champions League titles. He was also a key member of Spain’s golden generation, winning the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships.
His mission now is to stabilise the team, restore competitiveness, and improve performances while the club decides on a long-term solution for next season.
Betting Market Reaction: Alonso Linked With Liverpool
Interestingly, betting markets reacted swiftly to Xabi Alonso’s dismissal. Less than an hour after his exit was confirmed, odds on him replacing Arne Slot as Liverpool’s next manager shortened dramatically.
Alonso is now the clear favourite at 5/4, implying a 44.4% probability of taking over at Anfield.
Behind him is Luis Enrique, currently managing Paris Saint-Germain, priced at 1.5 (15.4% implied probability).
Third in the market is a potential Jürgen Klopp return, offered at 6/1, which equates to a 14.3% chance.
The managerial dominoes are clearly beginning to fall — and both Real Madrid and Liverpool now sit at the centre of football’s biggest coaching storyline.