Echo

Jurgen Klopp 'makes final decision' on taking manager's job - 'He's made it clear'

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballJurgen KloppFormer Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a return to management at Real MadridFormer Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has made it clear he won't be the next head coach of Real Madrid amid ongoing uncertainty about Xabi Alonso's position in the dugout. The former Reds midfielder only took over at the Bernabeu in the summer after guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an invincible Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal haul in his second year at the club.Alonso was also linked with the vacant managerial position at Anfield after Klopp announced he'd be leaving the Reds, but Real Madrid swooped in to appoint the former Spanish international as Carlo Ancelotti's successor.Despite being regarded as one of the best young coaches in Europe, Alonso has had a tough start to life in Madrid.READ MORE: Mohamed Salah transfer fee emerges if Liverpool deal gets done amid 'confidence' in SaudiREAD MORE: Mohamed Salah’s lengthy phone call with Egypt manager after ‘intense’ reactionLos Blancos are currently four points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race and were beaten by Man City in the Champions League in midweek.They're currently seventh in the league phase of the competition and on course to qualify in the top-eight.However, Real Madrid have won just two of their last eight games, and pressure is beginning to mount on Alonso with rumours of dressing room disharmony.Former Reds boss Klopp is among those to have been linked with the job in Madrid, but is currently working as Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull group.The German wanted to take a break from the day-to-day life of a manager and has been in his current role since the start of the year.However, that hasn't stopped him from being linked with a return to the dugout.Sky Sports Germany reported that Klopp, former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa and Zinedine Zidane were among the possible candidates to take over from Alonso.Spanish media outlet SPORT has given an update on the managerial position at the Bernabeu and comments from Red Bull's global director of football, Oliver Mintzlaff, which seemingly rule Klopp out of the running."He has made it clear that he doesn't want to be a coach at the moment," Mintzlaff said at an event organised by Leipziger Volkszeitung.Sport also claims that Zidane is out of the running due to his upcoming commitment with the French national team.They add that leaves Arbeloa as the most likely candidate to take over from Alonso if Los Blancos decide to part ways with the head coach, who is expected to be given at least this weekend's clash with Alaves to turn things around.