Election candidate Enrique Riquelme has made the former Liverpool boss a highlight of his campaign
Jurgen Klopp’s agent has dismissed claims that the former Liverpool manager could take charge of Real Madrid, rejecting campaign promises made by presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme ahead of Sunday’s election.
Riquelme had named Klopp as his preferred choice to lead a new era at the Bernabeu should he defeat the incumbent president, Florentino Perez. The businessman said his proposed sporting director, Madrid legend Raul, would approach Klopp immediately after the election if he secured victory.
However, Klopp’s representative, Marc Kosicke, moved quickly to distance the German from the speculation.
“It’s annoying,” Kosicke said in a statement circulated on social media. “Jurgen Klopp is happy in his role at Red Bull and has no ambitions to work as a coach at a club.”
The response is a setback for Riquelme, who had attempted to place Klopp at the centre of his campaign despite acknowledging that the 58-year-old has repeatedly stated he has no plans to return to coaching in the near future.
In a statement released through his campaign, Riquelme argued that Madrid could represent a unique proposition for Klopp.
“We know that Jurgen 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,” the statement read. “That is precisely why we believe the challenge of Real Madrid is different.”
Riquelme added that, if elected, he would ask Raul to present Klopp with the club’s sporting project and invite him to become head coach.
If Kosicke’s claim that Klopp is not interested in the job is believed by Madrid’s socios, who will vote in the elections, Enrique’s position could take a serious hit.
The election has been focused on high-profile pledges from the candidates as they seek to win support from members. Perez, who is seeking another term as president, has already announced that Jose Mourinho would return to the club as head coach if he remains in office.
The 79-year-old also pledged that Madrid would make a €150m move for Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise after the election.
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Besides inviting Klopp to Madrid, Riquelme also claimed that he would sign Erling Haaland and Rodri from Manchester City. The comments also provoked a strong response from City, who even threatened to sue after Riquelme appeared on television holding a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name. The Norway striker signed a nine-and-a-half-year contract extension with City in January 2025.
Rodri, however, has previously hinted at interest in a Madrid move and said he would discuss his future after the World Cup.
