Real Madrid make surprise approach for Liverpool boss Klopp

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 12 Feb 2023 14:11 GMT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have approached Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp about replacing Carlo Ancelotti as manager at the Santiago Bernabeu according to reports in Spain.

Klopp has endured a difficult season at Liverpool, with Reds in 10th, 22 points off Arsenal's Premier League-setting pace.

But his stock remains high as a Premier League and Champions League winner, and he led his side to runners-up finishes in both competitions as recently as last season.

READ: How will Liverpool line up next season?

Ancelotti is coming under increasing pressure at Real Madrid, meanwhile. A Spanish and European champion last season, this term his side trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by eight points after 20 games played.

If no silverware has been claimed at the end of the current campaign, the 63-year-old could leave, and he has been linked with the vacant Brazil manager's job in recent weeks. And Real have Klopp in mind to replace him.

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'There has been contact' between Klopp and Real

"Florentino Perez has always thought of the ex-Borussia Dortmund and Mainz man as someone to lead Real Madrid," report El Nacional. "And now he could have an incredible opportunity to sign him.

"There has been contact, and Klopp has made his financial demands clear. He would also request some Galactico-level reinforcement, with Jude Bellingham coveted above all. It's no secret that he's obsessed with the 19-year-old midfielder."

READ: Liverpool now in pole position to sign Jude Bellingham

Bellingham is understood to be deciding between moves to Real, Liverpool and Manchester City next summer, but a Klopp move to Spain could help Perez's cause with the German having already courted the player on behalf of the Reds.

Klopp's previous spells at Dortmund and Mainz also went south after seven years, meanwhile, and history seems to be repeating itself at Anfield this season.

Whether that's statistical noise or not, Real are unlikely to be worried by such a theory - the last time they employed a manager for that long was more than 50 years ago, when Miguel Munoz was at the helm between 1960 and 1974.