The agent of Jürgen Klopp has moved to shut down speculation linking the former Liverpool manager to Real Madrid, describing the rumours as "annoying" and insisting his client has no intention of returning to club management.

Marc Kosicke's rebuttal came after Enrique Riquelme — one of the candidates contesting Real Madrid's presidential election on Sunday 8 June — named Klopp as his first-choice head coach should he defeat the incumbent Florentino Pérez. Kosicke posted on social media: "It's annoying! Jürgen Klopp is happy in his role at Red Bull and has no ambitions to work as a coach at a club."

Klopp left Anfield in the summer of 2024 and took up a position as Red Bull's head of global football — a strategic, off-the-bench role that sits some distance from the daily grind of club management. That context makes Riquelme's approach all the more eyebrow-raising.

What Riquelme's camp actually said

Riquelme's office did not dispute that Klopp has publicly ruled out a swift return to the dugout. A statement from his team, reported by Sky Sports, acknowledged as much but argued Real Madrid represent a different proposition entirely: "We know that Jürgen Klopp has publicly stated that he has no intention of returning to the dugout in the short term, and that he has turned down numerous offers. That is precisely why we believe the challenge of Real Madrid is different. Because there are great clubs, but there is only one Real Madrid."

The statement went further, setting out a specific timeline: Riquelme pledged that if elected, his proposed sporting director Raúl González Blanco would contact Klopp on Monday 9 June to outline the project personally. It is an ambitious — some would say audacious — plan given Kosicke's unambiguous response.

A presidential race already mired in controversy

Klopp is not the only name being thrown around in what has become a turbulent campaign. Pérez, fighting to retain the presidency in the club's first contested election for two decades, has promised José Mourinho will return to the Bernabéu if he wins, releasing a short campaign video in which Mourinho says simply: "Yes!" Pérez has also indicated Real Madrid would launch a bid in the region of €150m (£130m) for a player understood to be Bayern Munich's Michael Olise should he secure victory.

Riquelme's own campaign has not been without friction. Earlier in the week he claimed Erling Haaland — who signed a record nine-and-a-half-year deal with Manchester City in January 2025 — wanted to join Madrid. City threatened legal action after the 37-year-old renewable energy entrepreneur appeared on television holding up a Madrid shirt bearing Haaland's name. Riquelme also suggested Rodri would leave City for Madrid; the midfielder has indicated he will address his future after the World Cup.

Where does this leave Klopp?

On the available evidence, exactly where he was before: settled in his Red Bull role and not looking for a way back into the dugout. Agents rarely issue public statements unless speculation has become genuinely disruptive, which suggests the volume of Klopp-to-Madrid noise reached a level that required a firm response.

Whether Riquelme wins Sunday's vote remains to be seen. But even if he does, Kosicke's statement leaves precious little room for optimism on the Klopp front. The market, for what it is worth, will be watching the election result closely — but the German's next managerial role, if there ever is one, does not appear imminent.

Frequently asked

Is Klopp going to manage Real Madrid?
Almost certainly not in the near future. His agent Marc Kosicke has publicly stated that Klopp is happy in his role at Red Bull and has no ambitions to return to club management.
What is Klopp's current job?
Since leaving Liverpool, Klopp has been working as head of global football at Red Bull — a strategic role overseeing the group's network of clubs rather than managing on the touchline.
Who is standing in the Real Madrid presidential election?
The main candidates are current president Florentino Pérez, who is seeking re-election, and challenger Enrique Riquelme. The vote takes place on Sunday 8 June 2026, marking the club's first contested election in 20 years.