Overview
- Real Madrid removed Xabi Alonso after a 3-2 Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona in Jeddah.
- Former Real defender Álvaro Arbeloa has been installed as caretaker coach seven months into Alonso’s tenure.
- Jurgen Klopp told Austria’s Servus TV that reports connecting him to Madrid "have nothing to do with me" and that no one from the club has contacted him.
- Klopp said his phone had been ringing since Alonso’s exit but noted none of the messages came from Real Madrid.
- The ex-Liverpool manager expressed sympathy for Alonso, criticized the shrinking time afforded to coaches, and reaffirmed his current role overseeing Red Bull’s global football projects.