Mbappé Lobbies for Zidane's Real Madrid Return, Opposes Klopp Appointment

Kylian Mbappé is making his voice heard at Real Madrid, reportedly campaigning against Jürgen Klopp's potential appointment while advocating strongly for Zinedine Zidane to return for a third managerial stint. It's a bold move from a player who has yet to capture any silverware since arriving at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The backdrop: Following Xabi Alonso's dismissal in January, Real Madrid appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as caretaker manager. With both La Liga and Champions League glory looking increasingly unlikely this season, Arbeloa is expected to depart when the campaign concludes. The hunt for a permanent manager is already in full swing, with Klopp's name repeatedly emerging in internal discussions.

However, according to Football365, Mbappé isn't sold on bringing Klopp to Madrid. The French superstar would prefer seeing his fellow countryman Zidane — who secured three straight Champions League trophies during his previous two tenures — make a triumphant return to the Bernabéu touchline.

Klopp's Future Remains Uncertain

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has verified that Klopp features in Real Madrid's managerial considerations, though he cautioned against premature expectations. "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 challenge isn't Madrid's interest in Klopp — it's determining whether Klopp wants to return to club-level management. The German tactician accepted Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer position in January 2025 following his Liverpool departure, and leaving that organizational role to manage a single club would represent a major career pivot. Romano emphasized this point: Madrid must first establish whether Klopp has genuine interest before advancing discussions.

There's an intriguing twist to Mbappé's current position on Klopp. Back in 2020, the forward was full of admiration for Klopp's Liverpool, describing them as "like a machine" and adding "they win, they win, they win." Whether his present opposition stems from tactical considerations, personal preference, or other factors remains unclear.

Madrid's Critical Summer Ahead

By Real Madrid's lofty standards, a season without trophies constitutes a full-blown crisis. The incoming manager will face immediate expectations to challenge for La Liga supremacy and European honours — making this arguably the summer's most scrutinized coaching decision. Zidane brings the aura of those three consecutive Champions League triumphs, though he's been away from management since 2021. Klopp possesses elite-level credentials but may not desire the position.

Meanwhile, Mbappé has contributed 84 goals and 11 assists across 98 matches for the Spanish giants. While his individual statistics impress, team success has proven elusive. His perceived or actual influence in the boardroom adds another dimension to an already complex rebuilding process.

Real Madrid's next manager will take charge of a squad undergoing transformation and supporters who demand trophies as the minimum standard. Whether Klopp or Zidane ultimately gets the call, there will be zero room for error from the opening day.