Jurgen Klopp Breaks Silence on Real Madrid Links with Enthusiastic Response at NBA Berlin
Jürgen Klopp chuckled at a Real Madrid inquiry while pondering if any of Álvaro Arbeloa's current players might have tuned into the recent NBA Berlin matchup.
Klopp, currently serving as Red Bull's global soccer chief, made his way back to Berlin on Thursday to witness the Orlando Magic's 118–111 rally past the Memphis Grizzlies in their opening European encounter this month.
In conversation with ESPN courtside, Klopp emphasized he wasn't viewing the contest through a former manager's lens, but purely as a "basketball enthusiast," though this didn't prevent inquiries about his future plans amid growing rumors of a potential summer move to Real Madrid.
"You're aware that Real Madrid has quite the passion for basketball too," the journalist noted.
Following a hearty chuckle, Klopp responded: "Absolutely, that's wonderful. Perhaps some of their players caught tonight's action."
Klopp Maintaining Distance From Real Madrid
Klopp Maintaining Distance From Real Madrid
Despite Arbeloa quickly stepping in to replace former manager Xabi Alonso at Madrid, Los Blancos are expected to seek fresh leadership when the season concludes—a position that their Copa del Rey exit may have reinforced.
Klopp has emerged as Madrid's primary candidate, though the ex-Liverpool boss has repeatedly downplayed the rumors without providing a definitive answer in either direction.
During a press conference mere hours following Alonso's exit, Klopp maintained the developments were unrelated to him while acknowledging that things weren't "quite working" at the Bernabéu this campaign.
Still, the rumors continue, with German outlets frequently reporting that Klopp would "give serious thought" to any overture from Madrid should one materialize.
Madrid are believed to have backed Arbeloa with a deal extending past this season's conclusion, so currently there's no certainty that Los Blancos will pursue Klopp or another manager, though Arbeloa may require swift improvement in form to remain a viable option.