Carlo Ancelotti is expected to step down as Real Madrid manager after the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26, according to Sky Sports News. The news comes just a day after Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League in a 5-1 aggregate loss to Arsenal in the quarterfinals. While Ancelotti’s contract runs until 2026, the club appears to be preparing for a change on the sidelines.

Across two spells, Ancelotti has led the club to three Champions League titles and secured a league-and-European double on two occasions. However, this season has fallen short of expectations. Madrid trail Barcelona by four points in LaLiga with seven games to go and have not beaten their rivals in any of their meetings this season. Barcelona claimed a 5-2 victory in the Supercopa final in January and won 4-0 in their first LaLiga clash back in October.

This year’s Champions League elimination marks just the third time in 13 seasons that Madrid have failed to reach the semifinals. Speaking to Sky Sports, former club president Ramón Calderón expressed mixed feelings about the situation, saying, “I don’t know if he is willing to stay,” but added that he still hopes Ancelotti remains at the club. Still, speculation has only grown louder around potential replacements, and he mentioned the two names that have been swirling.

According to early reports from Fabrizio Romano, Xabi Alonso was one of the top candidates to replace the Italian. Alonso, currently at Bayer Leverkusen, is seen as a long-term project and a natural return.

Meanwhile, new reports suggest that Klopp is also being considered.The German coach stepped away from management after leaving Liverpool, but according to UOL Esporte, he is open to speaking with Real Madrid about taking over this summer.

Klopp is currently serving as Global Director of Football for Red Bull, but sources close to him suggest he is only considering two destinations if he returns to coaching: the Brazilian national team or Real Madrid.

High-stakes Clasico in the Copa del Rey final

The Copa del Rey final on April 26 now carries added meaning. Not only will it be a shot at silverware for Madrid, it could be Ancelotti’s last game in charge. The Italian hasn’t beaten Barcelona this season, and with another Clásico set for May 11 in LaLiga, the final could shape the tone of his departure.

For Madrid, it’s a chance to reclaim momentum and send a message ahead of a likely managerial shift. With the league still mathematically within reach, the next few weeks will define how Ancelotti’s second stint is remembered.

Klopp has signed “a new long-term deal” and begins his new position on January 1st, 2025. Klopp left Liverpool after a nine-year spell, where he managed the team to eight championships, including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Klopp noted fatigue as the main reason he left Liverpool and even cast doubt on whether he would coach again; his new position will require him to take a long-term approach to his job.

Jurgen Klopp’s new position at Red Bull

The 57-year-old will need to provide guidance to the clubs on coaching issues, playing philosophy, player development, and the transfers of players and head coaches.

Klopp wrote a statement on the Red Bull website: “After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this.

“The role may have changed, but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not. By joining Red Bull at a global level, I want to develop, improve, and support the incredible football talent that we have at our disposal.

“There are many ways that we can do this, from using the elite knowledge and experience that Red Bull possesses to learning from other sports and industries.

“Together we can discover what is possible. I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs, but ultimately, I am one part of an organization that is unique, innovative, and forward-looking. As I said, this could not excite me more.”

According to The Daily Mail, Klopp has a clause that allows him to be released from his position if the German national team approaches him. Klopp was most recently linked to the USMNT job but turned it down twice as he had no interest in coaching at that moment.

Now 57, after nine seasons at the helm of the Reds, Klopp has decided to take a break from coaching, rejecting multiple offers in recent months. For now, he’s confirmed he wants to relax and enjoy life away from the sidelines.

Throughout his 23-year coaching career, the Stuttgart-born tactician has worked with a host of world-class players, including Marco Reus, Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, to name a few.

However, when it came time to pick the greatest player in soccer history, Klopp didn’t hesitate. His choice wasn’t a contemporary player but a legend of the game: Pele.

In a 2018 interview with Liverpool FCTV, Klopp revealed his admiration for “O Rei,” explaining that it was his father who instilled in him the belief that Pele was the best.

“My father always told me that no matter what people say in the future, Pelé is the greatest (of all time). I met him when I was a commentator for the 2006 World Cup. I’m not the kind of person who gets nervous, but in that moment, I was sweating like crazy. The best in history? For me, it’s Pelé,” Klopp said.

Klopp’s recognition of Lionel Messi

While Klopp praised Pelé and named him as the best, he also had high praise for Lionel Messi, whom he called “the best player I’ve ever seen.” Due to his age, Klopp never got the chance to watch Pelé in his prime, but he’s faced Messi on several occasions and witnessed his brilliance firsthand.

After Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina at the age of 35, Klopp was effusive in his admiration: “The way he plays soccer at his age… His performance could give us an idea of how long players can continue to compete at the highest level. It also serves as a reminder that we shouldn’t be too quick to close the book on a player’s career. It was a pleasure to watch him at the World Cup,” Klopp said.

Klopp has been linked with the USMNT job following Gregg Berhalter’s dismissal in July, which came after the team’s disappointing group stage exit at the Copa América. Additionally, Klopp was also considered a potential successor to Gareth Southgate, who stepped down as England coach after eight years in charge following Euro 2024.

However, Klopp, who spent nearly nine years at Liverpool, has stated his lack of interest in resuming a coaching role. At the International Coaches’ Congress in Wurzburg, Germany, Klopp reaffirmed his stance.

Jürgen Klopp not interested in coaching at the moment

“As of today, that’s it for me as a coach,” Klopp said. “I didn’t quit on a whim, but it was a general decision. I’ve also coached the best clubs in the world.”

Klopp has made it clear that he is taking a significant break from the sport, with plans to remain out of coaching for at least 12 months, as reported by ESPN. He mentioned, “Maybe we can talk about it again in a few months. I still want to work in football and help people with my experience and contacts. Let’s see what else there is for me.”

“At the moment, there is nothing at all in terms of jobs—no club, no country,” he said. “A few people must not have heard this part, and it would be the biggest loss of face in the history of football if I said, ‘I’ll make an exception for you now.’”

“I’m too young to only do padel tennis and grandchildren. Will that be coach again? I would actually rule that out at the moment. Let’s see what it will look like in a few months, but nothing is coming through at the moment.”

Now, Matt Crocker must utilize the wealth of experience that USSF touted to the public to find a candidate capable of sparking momentum in a challenging program and guiding the USMNT to success at the 2026 World Cup.

Finding the right fit won’t be easy. Many top-class A managers won’t emulate Marcelo Bielsa’s extensive research on the country and players before taking over Chile like he did in the 2010 cycle. Instead, they’ll expect US Soccer to approach them, likely demanding high salaries and offering vague commitments of advancement. Below are three realistic names who could helm the USMNT:

Marcelo Gallardo – The Proven Winner Hire

The Argentine manager boasts an impressive CV, starting with his stint at Nacional of Uruguay right after retiring as a player. Despite initial challenges, he clinched the Uruguayan league title, maximized player potential, and revived Alvaro Recoba’s career.

Gallardo then etched his name in River Plate’s history books during his eight-year tenure, excelling in high-stakes matches and securing the Copa Libertadores against Boca Juniors. In total he won 14 titles at the club.

His Saudi Arabian venture soured after criticizing Karim Benzema’s commitment, highlighting his uncompromising approach. Gallardo excels in deploying versatile formations, ideally suited for the USMNT’s needs, emphasizing rapid forward passes and defensive resilience.

Renowned for his bold tactics and proactive strategies, Gallardo fosters team unity and tactical flexibility, essential for success in both domestic and continental competitions.

Wilfried Nancy – The MLS Hire

Wilfried Nancy emerges as a strong contender for his proven ability to manage American players, demonstrated during his tenure with the Columbus Crew.

Nancy’s adept management led to an MLS Cup victory, a CCL final appearance, and a reputation for attractive soccer. Unbound by traditional US Soccer norms, Nancy, a foreign coach honed in MLS, remains a coveted figure, having fielded offers from Europe.

His pragmatic coaching style prioritizes structured defense, tactical precision, and cohesive teamwork, optimizing efficiency in both defensive solidity and offensive prowess.

Hervé Renard – The Fan Favorite Hire

American soccer enthusiasts often gravitate toward Hervé Renard, drawn by his African successes despite mixed results elsewhere. His potential appointment on the cusp of the 2026 World Cup could prove transformative for USMNT.

Renard champions a charismatic and motivational coaching style, emphasizing defensive organization, discipline, and mental resilience. His teams excel in defensive structure, adeptly countering opponents and leveraging set-piece strategies and winger tactics to exploit weaknesses.

Renard’s track record includes multiple African Cup of Nations triumphs, underscoring his tactical acumen and inspirational leadership.

While his coaching career has seen highs and lows, Renard represents a bold, albeit risky, choice with the potential for long-term impact and commitment beyond 2026 if successful.

Liverpool made it to the Champions League final a total of three times with Klopp and became one of the most entertaining teams in the world.

Near the end of last season, Jürgen Klopp decided to step away from his duties, citing a need to refresh and relax. Klopp has indicated that he will take at least one year off and will never coach a team that is not Liverpool in the Premier League.

What will Jürgen Klopp be doing during his time off?

Jürgen Klopp recently signed a three-year deal between the global sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE in conjunction with Project MJK, the management team of Jürgen Klopp.

The purpose of the partnership is to be the commercial and marketing representative of Klopp with the main objective to bolster Klopp’s global brand presence and cultivate international partnerships and markets, with a special focus on Asia and the USA.

Klopp’s philosophies and working structure have inspired coaches even in the NFL, mainly Brian Callahan of the Tennessee Titans.

In 2015, Liverpool made the bold decision to offer Jurgen Klopp a significant opportunity to demonstrate his managerial skills in the Premier League. The German coach made an immediate impact on the club, guiding it back to its peak form.

In his nine-year tenure with the Reds, Klopp has achieved an impressive tally of eight titles, including a Premier League triumph and a UEFA Champions League victory. However, his time with Liverpool is now drawing to a close as he prepares to depart the team this summer.

Jurgen Klopp receives emotional message from Mo Salah

Liverpool will welcome a new coach for the 2024-2025 season. Following nine years with the Reds, Jurgen Klopp has made the decision to part ways with the team. He has expressed his desire to take a year for himself and his family.

Klopp joined Liverpool in 2015 after a remarkable tenure with Borussia Dortmund. He won two Bundesliga titles with the German club, so the expectations were very high at his arrival to the Premier League.

The ex-Mainz 05 player surpassed those expectations, delivering eight new titles to Liverpool and solidifying his status as one of the premier managers globally through his success in the world’s top league.

Two years after joining Liverpool, he urged the team’s front office to secure the signing of Mohamed Salah, who had enjoyed a remarkable spell with AS Roma. The Egyptian winger quickly forged a strong connection with the manager, enabling him to showcase his abilities to the fullest extent.

Salah was a key player in Klopp’s team. For this reason, the Egyptian forward said goodbye to the manager through a very special message, thanking him for everything that he did for him.

“It was great sharing all those trophies and experiences with you over the past 7 years,” Salah said on X. “I wish you the best of luck for the future and hope we meet again.”

What will Jurgen Klopp do after leaving Liverpool FC?

As mentioned earlier, Jurgen Klopp has expressed his desire to step away from soccer for at least one year. He stated that he wishes to devote more time to his family, and after that period, he will consider whether a return to the sport aligns with his interests.

Klopp made it clear that he won’t manage in the Premier League. His deep attachment to Liverpool rules out this possibility, and there are strong rumors circulating that he could potentially join either Bayern Munich or the German National Team in the near future.

Klopp’s greatest achievement was giving the Reds the Premier League title after three decades without lifting that trophy. Additionally, during his extraordinary tenure, the team won the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the League Cup and the Community Shield.

Had it not been for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, Jürgen Klopp likely would have established an era of absolute dominance in England. Nevertheless, his great achievement was bringing Liverpool back to the forefront.

Therefore, the fans paid an extraordinary tribute to Klopp with one of the most famous songs in sports. The message was clear for the German coach: You will never walk alone.

In the 82nd minute of that game in London, Klopp decided to bring in Salah as substitute for Luis Diaz. A few seconds before the Egyptian star entered the pitch, the German coach said something to his ear and the player just lost it yelling at him.

The video immediately went viral and, before facing Tottenham, Jürgen Klopp got real about the current situation with Salah in the middle of a huge crisis for Liverpool with almost no chances to hoist the trophy in the Premier League.

“Completely resolved. It’s not a problem. If we wouldn’t know each other for that long, I’m not sure how we would deal with it. But we know each other for that long and we respect each other too much. So, there’s really no problem.”

Jürgen Klopp address conflict with Mohamed Salah

According to Jürgen Klopp, the problem with Mohamed Salah is part of the past. It’s important to remember that Klopp already announced this is his final season at Liverpool.

“I think we have the right to deal with these kind of things completely independent of any expectations from the outside. We’re absolutely fine with it. It is a non-story. In general, the best situation would be winning the games and scoring a lot of goals. Then, the situation would have probably not been like that because Mo wouldn’t have been on the bench in the first place.”

This Saturday, during the match against West Ham, an image emerged that could begin to explain what is going on within the ‘Reds’. It happened in front of the entire stadium and the video is already making rounds around the world.

With 10 minutes left in the game between the Hammers and Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp decided to take Luis Diaz off the field to make way for Mohamed Salah. For this game, the star of the ‘Reds’ started as a substitute. It was a surprising decision by the German coach.

In such a crucial game, Klopp left his main player on the bench and then an unexpected moment occurred that shocked everyone.

What happened between Mohamed Salah and Jürgen Klopp?

At the moment when Mohamed Salah was about to enter the field, Jürgen Klopp approached him and said something in the player’s ear. It was a short but assertive message.

Upon hearing it, the Pharaoh couldn’t contain himself and began to launch all kinds of reproaches at his coach. In front of the entire stadium, he clashed with the German while shouting at him.

Seeing what was happening, Darwin Nuñez intervened and separated his teammate to prevent him from continuing to argue with Klopp. Salah didn’t like at all that the Uruguayan got in the middle and also pushed him away with a slight shove.

After the game, when several reporters were about to ask Salah about what happened, the Egyptian player responded: “It’s gonna be fire if I speak.” Meanwhile, Klopp assured that the matter was closed. “We spoke about that moment in the dressing room with the lads, it’s done.”

“I will leave the club at the end of the season. I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment when you hear it for the first time. I’m running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously. I’m absolutely fine now, but I know that I cannot do the job again, again and again.”

Now, Liverpool were surprisingly eliminated by Atalanta in the Europa League quarterfinals, Manchester United knocked them out of the FA Cup and they have no chance to conquer the Premier League. The farewell tour took an unexpected turn.

In this scenario, the team’s front office analyzed various options to replace the German coach. However, it seems that one name has won the race.

Who will replace Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool?

Arne Slot will replace Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool. He is currently coach of Feyenoord and couldn’t defend the title in Eredivisie as PSV have clinched the trophy. However, the next challenge for him will be at the Premier League.

“I can confirm that I will become the coach there next year. Until now I was not thinking about this being the buildup to my last match, but that starts coming now. At the beginning of the week you are thinking about training and those kind of things. But the feeling gets stronger now. That is why I’m a little bit late now for this press conference, because I wanted to say goodbye to some people personally and take time for them. More than just shaking hands.”

Furthermore, Fabrizio Romano confirmed the contract was already signed today. “Arne Slot formally signs his contract as new Liverpool head coach today, all documents are in place. The official announcement will follow with Liverpool desired timing. Work permit still pending for some of his staff members and then it will be all sealed.”

Meanwhile, Klopp has already warned that he will take at least a year off and that, if he returns to the Premier League, he wouldn’t do it for any team other than Liverpool.