Klopp's agent dismisses Al Ittihad rumours as 'nonsense' amid Real Madrid speculation

Jurgen Klopp will not be taking charge of Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, his agent Marc Kosicke has confirmed, branding the persistent rumours “annoying and nonsense”. The former Liverpool manager has been repeatedly linked with a return to management in the Middle East since leaving Anfield in the summer of 2024.

“I am annoyed by all this bulls–t,” Kosicke told WinWin. “It’s all annoying and nonsense.” The agent’s blunt intervention appears to put an end to speculation that had been circulating since Klopp’s departure from Merseyside.

The denial also arrives in the wake of comments from Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who last week pledged to appoint Klopp should he win the election to lead the club. “The manager we want for our Real Madrid project is Jurgen Klopp,” Riquelme said. “On Monday, if we win the elections, our director Raul will get in touch with Klopp.”

There has been no indication from Klopp or his camp that he would be interested in the Bernabeu role. Jose Mourinho is widely expected to be the frontrunner to succeed Xabi Alonso, who was dismissed in January, making Riquelme’s pledge appear largely aspirational.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have moved on from Klopp’s era by confirming Andoni Iraola as their new head coach. The Spaniard, who impressed during his time at Bournemouth, has drawn comparisons to Klopp for his high-intensity, pressing-based style of play.

Klopp himself spoke admiringly of Iraola back in 2023. “I didn’t know a lot about him,” Klopp said. “But they turned it around, wow. That’s real coaching. He found a way to set this team up. They have a really good mix, they play football, they find direction in the right moments, they use Dom Solanke in a sensational way. The way they defend, really good, really compact.”

With Kosicke’s unequivocal statement now on record, the question of where Klopp manages next — if at all — remains firmly unanswered.