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

Kylian Mbappé is apparently using his influence behind the scenes at Real Madrid to block Jürgen Klopp's potential arrival — while actively campaigning for Zinedine Zidane to return for an unprecedented third stint. It's a bold move from a player who has yet to lift any silverware since his high-profile move to Los Blancos.

The backdrop: Real Madrid dismissed Xabi Alonso this past January and promoted Álvaro Arbeloa to interim manager. With neither a La Liga championship nor Champions League glory within reach, Arbeloa is expected to be replaced when the season concludes. The club's search for a permanent gaffer is already in motion, and Klopp's name continues to emerge in internal discussions.

However, according to Football365, Mbappé isn't sold on bringing in the German tactician. Instead, he's advocating for his fellow Frenchman Zidane — who secured three straight Champions League trophies during his two previous tenures — to make his way back to the Santiago Bernabéu touchline.

Klopp's availability remains uncertain

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has verified that Klopp is being considered by Real Madrid, though he cautioned against any assumptions of an imminent agreement. "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 revealed on his YouTube channel.

The main hurdle isn't Madrid's interest in Klopp — it's whether Klopp has any desire to return to the day-to-day grind of club management. After departing Liverpool, he accepted the Head of Global Soccer position with Red Bull in January 2025, and walking away from that organizational role to manage a single club again would represent a major career pivot. Romano highlighted exactly this challenge: Madrid must first determine if he's genuinely open to the opportunity before advancing any negotiations.

There's also a touch of irony in Mbappé's current resistance to Klopp. Back in 2020, the French superstar heaped praise on Klopp's Liverpool side, describing them as "like a machine" and noting "they win, they win, they win." Whether his present position stems from tactical considerations, personal preference, or other factors remains unclear.

Implications for Madrid's summer rebuild

A trophy-free campaign at Real Madrid constitutes a full-blown crisis by the club's lofty standards. The incoming manager will face immediate expectations to challenge for La Liga supremacy and European honours — making this one of the summer's most scrutinized managerial appointments. Zidane brings the aura of those three consecutive European triumphs, though he hasn't managed since 2021. Klopp boasts elite-level credentials but may not be interested in the position.

As for Mbappé, he's contributed 84 goals and 11 assists across 98 matches for the club. While his individual statistics are impressive, the trophy cabinet remains empty. His apparent influence in the boardroom, whether real or perceived, adds another dimension to an already complex rebuilding process.

Real Madrid's next manager will take charge of a squad undergoing transition and supporters who demand silverware as the minimum acceptable standard. Whether Klopp or Zidane receives the appointment, there will be zero room for error from the opening day.