Real Madrid have reportedly tasked club legend Toni Kroos with sounding out Jurgen Klopp's interest in becoming their next head coach. According to Spanish journalist Joaquin Maroto, Kroos, who is set to return to the club in a sporting director role this summer, has been unofficially exploring Klopp's availability. The former Liverpool manager, currently in a global role with Red Bull, is said to be the primary target for the Spanish giants as they plan for the future.
Maroto, speaking on his YouTube channel, stated that the 36-year-old Kroos's first major assignment upon his official return will be to assess Klopp's willingness to return to the dugout. "If Kroos tells the president that Klopp would be willing, at that moment Real Madrid would get to work [on bringing him]," Maroto claimed. He added that Klopp would reportedly only leave his position with Red Bull for the Real Madrid job, viewing it as a unique opportunity.
This development comes amid a period of uncertainty over the long-term managerial situation at the Santiago Bernabeu. While Carlo Ancelotti's current contract runs until 2026, there has been persistent speculation about succession planning. Klopp, who left Liverpool in 2024 after a trophy-laden nine-year spell, has been consistently linked with the Madrid post since taking a sabbatical from day-to-day management.
However, conflicting reports from Spain suggest an alternative candidate is gaining traction. Journalist Miguel Serrano told Radio Marca that the momentum is shifting towards a sensational return for Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach, who managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, is currently at Benfica. Serrano suggested that a lack of a clear answer from Klopp is pushing the club towards Mourinho, whom he described as the "best option" and a figure who "generates excitement."
The potential involvement of Toni Kroos adds a significant new layer to the story. The retired German midfielder, who left Madrid in 2024, remains a revered figure at the club and shares a strong national bond with Klopp. His presumed influence could be a decisive factor in any negotiations. For Klopp, the Real Madrid job represents one of the few roles likely to tempt him back into club management, given his previous statements about needing a complete break from the intensity of the Premier League.
For Real Madrid, securing a manager of Klopp's caliber and charismatic stature would signal a major coup, aligning with their history of appointing blockbuster names. A move for Mourinho would represent a nostalgic, and arguably less predictable, turn. The coming weeks are likely to provide more clarity as Kroos's role is formalized and the club's hierarchy makes its intentions clear. The situation underscores the high-stakes planning always underway at one of the world's most scrutinized clubs.
