Jurgen Klopp expresses mixed feelings over Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid departure, questioning the club’s succession plan and dismissing links to the job.
LEIPZIG: Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid exit was both a surprise and predictable.
Klopp told media in Leipzig that the European giants are known for cut-throat coaching decisions when not top of the table.
The former Real Madrid midfielder lasted less than eight months in charge at the Bernabeu.
His departure by “mutual agreement” came a day after a 3-2 defeat by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.
“When I heard the news about Xabi Alonso, it was a bit of a mix. Yes, I was surprised. And no, I wasn’t surprised,” Klopp said.
“I was like ‘what?’ And ‘yeah, of course’.”
The 58-year-old referenced Madrid sacking Jupp Heynckes in 1998 just days after winning the Champions League.
He said Real did not seem to have a plan for Alonso’s successor and may struggle to find the right replacement.
“I have no clue why it happened, but it’s always a specific case and not a general problem, because what they see now, Real Madrid, is that bringing in just the next one is not that easy.”
Klopp recommended clubs have a realistic candidate in mind before sacking a manager.
He dismissed rumours linking him to the vacant Real Madrid position as media speculation.
“I’m in a place, as a person, where I’m completely at peace with where I am. I don’t want to be somewhere else.”
Klopp currently works as Red Bull’s global head of football.
He reiterated that his time as a manager is likely over, but refused to rule out a future return entirely.
“Do I want to coach again? At the moment I would say no, but I cannot say never, never, never.”
