As Álvaro Arbeloa takes over until June, insiders claim the former Liverpool boss is ‘fascinated’ by the prospect of managing the Merengues.
The managerial merry-go-round at the Santiago Bernabéu has a new, high-profile protagonist. While Álvaro Arbeloa has officially stepped in to fill the void left by Xabi Alonso until the end of the season, reports from Germany suggest that Jürgen Klopp is the “dream target” for the summer of 2026 or perhaps sooner.
The “Exclusive” Two-Project List According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, Klopp is currently enjoying his role as the Global Head of Football for the Red Bull Group. However, the journalist exclusively revealed that Klopp would consider returning to the touchline for only two specific projects: the German National Team or Real Madrid.
“Real has always fascinated him,” Plettenberg highlighted. “He is happy at Red Bull, but there are at least two projects he would return to if everything fell into place.”
Klopp’s Playful Denial Despite the swirling rumors, Klopp maintained his trademark humor during a recent interview with Austria’s ServusTV. When asked about a potential move to Madrid this July, he was quick to dismiss any formal contact.
“I think the rumors have been circulating for a while now. I know where your question is going, but it has nothing to do with me,” Klopp laughed. He teasingly added, “I received a call, but not from Madrid,” reinforcing that the speculation hasn’t swayed his current commitment to the Red Bull project.
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The Arbeloa Ultimatum For now, the reins belong to Arbeloa. The former Real Madrid Castilla boss has been given until June to prove he can handle the egos and tactical imbalances of the first team. If Arbeloa achieves the board’s objectives likely a deep run in the Champions League he could remain in the post.
However, with Klopp’s shadow looming over Valdebebas and his “fascination” with the club now public, the pressure on Arbeloa to deliver immediate results has never been higher.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
