Jurgen Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke has firmly ruled out any prospect of the Liverpool legend taking the reins at Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. Klopp has been touted for a return to the dugout in the Middle East since departing Liverpool in the summer of 2024.
However, Kosicke insists there is “no chance” of that materialising. Last week, Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed he would appoint Klopp should he be elected to lead the Bernabeu club.
This came despite no indication whatsoever that the former Reds boss would be interested in such a position. Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is widely expected to succeed Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed in January.
Yet Klopp’s name was thrown into the mix amongst a raft of pledges that are unlikely ever to come to fruition.
“The manager we want for our Real Madrid project is Jurgen Klopp,” Riquelme said. “On Monday, if we win the elections, our director Raul will get in touch with Klopp.”
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As far as a switch to Saudi Arabia is concerned, the rumours should be well and truly put to bed following Klopp’s representative’s unequivocal declaration on the subject.
“I am annoyed by all this bulls–t,” Kosicke is quoted as telling WinWin. “It’s all annoying and nonsense.”
View 2 ImagesKlopp has regularly been linked with a move to Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool confirmed Andoni Iraola as their new head coach last week, with the Spaniard drawing comparisons to Klopp for his preferred style of play.
“I didn’t know a lot about him [Iraola],” Klopp said in 2023. “The start of the season, obviously, the results, if you don’t take a proper look at Bournemouth, it can happen.
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“But they turned it around, wow. That’s real coaching. He found a way to set this team up.
“They have a really good mix, they play football, they find direction in the right moments, they use Dom Solanke in a sensational way.
“The support he gets from the centre, from the wings. The way they defend, really good, really compact.”