If Jurgen Klopp is to arrive at Real Madrid this summer it seems Florentino Perez is eager for him to do alongside a club legend. A decision over a permanent Xabi Alonso replacement will be made at the end of the season.
Alvaro Arbeloa was put in charge on a caretaker basis following Alonso's exit earlier this month. The Spaniard looked to have overseen a turnaround in recent weeks until his side suffered a nightmare 4-2 loss away to Benfica in the Champions League.
The chances of Arbeloa staying on as Madrid coach seem unlikely unless he can end the campaign with either the La Liga or European title. Klopp has been the frontrunner ever since Alonso parted ways and the higher-ups want him to be joined on the bench by legendary former midfielder Toni Kroos.
Madrid want Klopp and Kroos coaching setup
Kicker (via El Nacional) reports that Kroos would return to the Estadio Bernabeu and become one of Klopp's assistants. He'd be asked to help the former Liverpool boss adapt to the dressing room and with the language.
The German outlet compare this to Thiago Alcantara who helped out Hansi Flick during the early stages of his reign as Barcelona manager. A potential Kroos return would undoubtedly appease Madridistas given his contributions to the club as a player.
Kroos wrote his name in Madrid's history books, winning 23 major trophies, including five Champions League titles. He made 465 appearances for Los Blancos and knows the club from top to bottom.
But the German hasn't been working in football since retiring in the summer of 2024. He hasn't been part of a coaching team and has taken on other ventures such as working with his own academy.
There's no guarantee Klopp would want Kroos to be part of his backroom team if he were to agree to the job. He has worked with his own staff throughout his managerial career and his compatriot's lack of coaching experience might be a concern.
Kroos working to persuade Klopp
It's also claimed that Madrid are hoping a "substantial financial offer" can convince Klopp to agree along with planning the squad in his own vision. Kroos has been acting as an "intermediary" to try and seal the former Borussia Dortmund tactician's appointment.
Klopp previously ruled out a return to management with Los Blancos by insisting he was happy in his current role. He is Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, a job he's been in since early 2025.
But German outlets have continuously claimed that the 58-year-old can be persuaded to take over at the Bernabeu. If he were to do so it would be a massive boost for a team that needs a leader of whom there's no doubt calls the shots.