LEIPZIG, Germany, Jan 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid exit was a surprise but also predictable from the European giants known for cut-throat coaching decisions. And no, I wasn't surprised," Klopp told AFP and other media in Leipzig. Referencing Madrid sacking German manager Jupp Heynckes in 1998 eight days after winning the Champions League for failing to win La Liga, Klopp said "it's always like that from Madrid when they're not first in the table." "I have no clue why it happened, but it's always a specific case and not a general problem, because what they see now, Real Madrid, is that bringing in just the next one is not that easy. "I don't get up and excited if Real Madrid are showing interest -- if they would be -- but it's the media."

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 19, 2026 05:52 UTC