Klopp is currently a Red Bull ambassador, but friend says he has previously dreamed of managing Real Madrid
Jurgen Klopp has a desire to one day take charge at Real Madrid, according to long-time friend and former teammate Miroslav Tanjga.
Tanjga, now the head coach at Serbian side Vojvodina, played alongside Klopp at Mainz for three seasons in the 1990s and remains close to the former Liverpool boss. Speaking to Mozzart Sport, he revealed his recent conversations with Klopp.
“What Klopp told me when he left Liverpool was that he had two wishes: to be coach of the national team and of Real Madrid,” said Tanjga. “I don’t know if either of them will come true.”
After nine years at Anfield where he won several trophies, including the Premier League and the Champions League, Klopp stepped away at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, saying that he needed to rest and reset.
But his long-term plans may include a return to one of football’s biggest stages, according to Tanjga.
“He’s certainly one of the candidates for the Real Madrid job,” he said, “but for now, this is all pure speculation.
“I also know that he never saw himself as the manager of any other English team except Liverpool. He doesn’t want to go to Serie A or France.”
The 56-year-old Klopp is currently serving as a global ambassador for the Red Bull footballing group, which includes clubs like RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.
Klopp said during an interview with ESPN that he might not manage again, but it has also been revealed that there is a clause in his four-year contract with Red Bull stating that he can leave if the job as a head coach of the German national team were to become open.
With his other dream job at Real Madrid potentially vacant next season, perhaps he might be tempted to contemplate a return to club management. However, his long-time friend wasn’t sure if this could happen.
“We’ve talked,” said Tanjga, “but he’s currently a Red Bull ambassador, so he deals with clubs in that group around the world and doesn’t think too much about coaching. Whether he’ll get bored and return to the dugout, he himself doesn’t know yet.”
