Mbappé Lobbying for Zidane Over Klopp as Real Madrid's Next Manager

Kylian Mbappé is allegedly working behind the scenes to block Jürgen Klopp's potential appointment at Real Madrid, instead advocating strongly for Zinedine Zidane's third stint at the helm. It's a bold move from a player who has yet to lift any silverware since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The backdrop: Real Madrid dismissed Xabi Alonso in January and promoted Álvaro Arbeloa to interim manager. With neither La Liga glory nor Champions League success within reach this season, Arbeloa is widely anticipated to exit when summer arrives. The hunt for a permanent gaffer is already in full swing, with Klopp's name circulating prominently in internal discussions.

However, according to reports from Football365, Mbappé remains unconvinced about bringing in the German tactician. The French superstar would prefer to see his fellow countryman Zidane—who captured three straight Champions League crowns during his previous two tenures—make his way back to the Madrid touchline.

Klopp's Availability Remains Uncertain

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has verified that Klopp is indeed being considered by Real Madrid's decision-makers, though he cautioned against assuming any deal is imminent. "Real Madrid are still having internal conversations about managers, and one of the names always mentioned internally is Jürgen Klopp. But at the moment, that is not something advanced or concrete," Romano stated on his YouTube channel.

The primary hurdle isn't Madrid's interest in Klopp—it's whether Klopp has any desire to return to day-to-day club management. After departing Liverpool, he assumed the Head of Global Soccer position at Red Bull in January 2025, and abandoning that organizational role to manage a single club again would represent a major career pivot. Romano emphasized precisely this point: Madrid must first determine if Klopp genuinely wants the position before progressing any further.

There's also a touch of irony in Mbappé's resistance to Klopp. Back in 2020, he lavished praise on Klopp's Liverpool side, describing them as "like a machine" and noting "they win, they win, they win." Whether his current position stems from tactical considerations, personal preference, or other factors remains unclear.

What's at Stake for Madrid This Summer

A trophy-free campaign at Real Madrid constitutes a full-blown crisis by the club's lofty standards. The next manager will face instant pressure to challenge for La Liga honours and European glory—making this managerial selection one of the summer's most scrutinized coaching decisions. Zidane brings the aura of those three consecutive Champions League triumphs, though he's been away from management since 2021. Klopp boasts an elite track record but may have no interest in the role.

As for Mbappé, he's registered 84 goals and contributed 11 assists across 98 matches for the club. The statistics look impressive. The silverware collection remains empty. His apparent influence in the boardroom, whether real or perceived, adds yet another dimension to an already complex rebuilding process.

Real Madrid's incoming manager will take charge of a squad undergoing transition and supporters who view trophies as the absolute minimum. Whether it's Klopp or Zidane who ultimately gets the appointment, there will be zero room for mistakes from the opening day.