The Real Madrid manager search is gathering pace after the club confirmed the departure of Xabi Alonso earlier this week, ending his spell in the Spanish capital after just seven and a half months in charge.
With the Bernabéu bench now vacant, senior figures at the club are assessing their options as they look to stabilise the situation quickly.
Alonso left the club by mutual agreement despite arriving with a strong reputation after an outstanding period at Bayer Leverkusen.
During his time in Germany, he guided Leverkusen to a historic treble in 2024, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and DFL Supercup. However, his tenure at Real Madrid did not deliver similar success, with no trophies secured during his short stay.
Interim Solution Amid the Real Madrid Manager Search
In the immediate aftermath of Alonso’s exit, Álvaro Arbeloa has stepped in on a temporary basis while the Real Madrid manager search continues behind the scenes. The former defender was handed responsibility for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey tie away to Albacete, but the result only increased the sense of urgency around appointing a permanent replacement.
Real Madrid were beaten 3-2 by the Segunda Division side, a result that drew heavy criticism from the Spanish media.
The defeat was widely described as a “total debacle”, highlighting the instability surrounding the club and reinforcing the need for an experienced figure to take control as soon as possible.
Klopp’s Name Enters the Real Madrid Manager Search
According to Sky Sports, Jurgen Klopp is one of the names under discussion as part of the Real Madrid manager search.
The German coach is highly regarded for his achievements with Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, where he enjoyed sustained success at the highest level of European football.
Despite this interest, Klopp’s current role presents a significant obstacle. The 58-year-old is presently working as Red Bull’s Global Sports Director, a position he is reportedly deeply committed to.
As things stand, persuading him to return to day-to-day management would not be straightforward.
It is understood that Klopp would only consider stepping back into the dugout under very specific conditions. Reports suggest he would contemplate a return solely for either Real Madrid or the German national team, and only if the circumstances were deemed right.
At present, there have been no formal talks between Real Madrid and Klopp, according to Football London.
Enzo Maresca Also Considered
While Klopp remains a long-term possibility, Enzo Maresca has also been linked as part of the ongoing Real Madrid manager search.
The Italian coach has been without a club since leaving Chelsea earlier this year, following a mutually agreed separation on New Year’s Day.
Maresca enjoyed notable success during his time at Stamford Bridge. He led Chelsea to victory in the Europa Conference League in May before adding the Club World Cup later in the summer.
Those achievements came despite a challenging domestic campaign marked by inconsistent results.
Chelsea confirmed his departure in a club statement, acknowledging his contributions and silverware.
The club stated that both parties felt a change was necessary to give the team the best chance of meeting key objectives for the remainder of the season, including Champions League qualification.
Maresca’s Departure and Message
Following his exit, Maresca shared a personal message on social media reflecting on his time at Chelsea. He highlighted the journey from the preliminary rounds of the Conference League to lifting major trophies and thanked supporters for their backing over the previous 18 months.
He also expressed gratitude to the players and staff he worked alongside during his tenure.
Since leaving Chelsea, Maresca’s name has continued to circulate in managerial discussions across Europe.
The Real Madrid manager search is not the only situation in which he has been mentioned, with reports also linking him to Manchester United following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this month.
United Situation Unlikely to Impact Real Madrid Manager Search
Despite those links, Manchester United are currently operating under interim head coach Michael Carrick, who is expected to remain in charge for the rest of the season.
With that arrangement in place, it appears unlikely that United will pursue a permanent managerial appointment before the summer.
As a result, Real Madrid’s interest in Maresca is not believed to be directly affected by developments at Old Trafford. Instead, the Spanish club continue to weigh up their options carefully as the Real Madrid manager search progresses.
Decision Time Approaches
With domestic and European objectives still at stake, Real Madrid are under pressure to bring clarity to the situation. The heavy Copa del Rey exit under Arbeloa has only increased scrutiny on the board’s next move.
Whether the club opts for an experienced name like Klopp or a more recent trophy winner such as Maresca, the Real Madrid manager search remains at a critical stage.
For now, discussions are ongoing, and the club has yet to make any formal approach, but the expectation is that a decision will not be delayed for long.
