Are Klopp and Haaland Real Madrid’s firefighters?

Real Madrid are reportedly mapping out an eye-catching plan for the summer of 2026, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland viewed internally as potential "saviours" at the Bernabéu.

Los Blancos have recently moved on from head coach Xabi Alonso and continue to come off second best in key encounters with arch-rivals Barcelona, prompting an urgent rethink at the top. According to Sky Sports Deutschland, Florentino Perez is "looking for saviours and has big dreams", once again leaning into the bold, star-driven strategy that has defined much of his presidency.

The Real Madrid president is said to be lining up two statement figures capable of transforming the club both on the pitch and commercially. Preparatory work could begin sooner rather than later. With Alvaro Arbeloa currently overseeing first-team duties on an interim basis, Sky report that Klopp "is currently being discussed internally" within the club’s hierarchy. The German stepped away from frontline management in the summer of 2024.

Now serving as Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer, Klopp has repeatedly insisted he has no immediate intention of returning to the dugout. Speaking to Servus TV On after Alonso’s dismissal, and when asked whether his phone had been busy, Klopp said: "It actually has - though not from Madrid. But yes, there were definitely a few people who felt they had to contact me directly about it. I was surprised, that’s true - genuinely surprised. Then a few people messaged me, and I replied with various emojis."

In parallel with the Klopp discussion, Perez is also said to be "dreaming" of bringing Haaland to Madrid, with the possibility of an approach being made "as early as this summer". Real are believed to be in frequent contact with the striker’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta.

The Spanish giants were among the clubs chasing Haaland when he left Borussia Dortmund in 2022, but the Norwegian chose Manchester City, following the path previously taken by his father Alf-Inge. Despite that, Haaland is reportedly "a huge fan of Spain and sees Real Madrid as his ultimate career goal", viewing a move to the Bernabeu as a future ambition and leaving the door ajar for a transfer.

Any deal, however, would come at an extraordinary cost. City have secured their prolific No.9 on a contract running until the summer of 2034, and Sky suggest a package worth "over 500 million euros would be required to make a move viable.

Offloading Vinicius Junior could help fund such an operation, with the Brazilian still drawing interest from the Saudi Pro League, but there are clear doubts over how "feasible" Real Madrid’s twin pursuit of Klopp and Haaland ultimately proves to be.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 20

Friday

23.00: (1.95) Espanyol (3.60) Girona (4.30)

Saturday

16.00: (1.17) Real Madrid (9.50) Levante (15.0)

18.15: (3.70) Mallorca (3.20) Ath.Bilbao (2.25)

20.30: (1.85) Osasuna (3.50) Oviedo (5.00)

23.00: (2.60) Betis (3.35) Villareal (2.70)

Sunday

16.00: (2.60) Getafe (2.75) Valencia (3.35)

18.15: (1.32) Atl.Madrid (5.50) Alaves (12.0)

20.30: (2.05) Celta (3.45) Rayo Vallecano (4.10)

23.00: (4.90) Sociedad (4.65) Barcelona (1.58)

Monday

23.00: (2.35) Elche (3.35) Sevilla (3.30)

***odds are subject to change***