Real Madrid recently dismissed manager Xabi Alonso on January 12th, 2026, following a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, initiating a search for a new long-term coach. Former player Alvaro Arbeloa has been appointed as interim manager until the season's end. Amidst this high-profile managerial change, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been widely linked as a prime candidate for the permanent role, potentially starting in summer 2026. Klopp, who concluded his tenure at Liverpool at the end of the 2023-2024 season and initially planned a sabbatical, cut his break short to take on the role of Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull in January 2025. The article from Madrid Universal claims Klopp has stipulated 'one condition' to join Real Madrid: the immediate departure of star winger Vinicius Jr., citing a report from Fichajes. This condition is reportedly based on Vinicius Jr.'s playing style not aligning with Klopp's preference for a disciplined, high-pressing tactical approach. However, other reputable reports from journalists like Florian Plettenberg and various sports outlets indicate that while Klopp might 'seriously consider' a return to management for Real Madrid or the German national team, this would only be if 'everything fits' or under 'the right conditions,' without explicitly detailing the sale of Vinicius Jr. as a prerequisite. Crucially, Jurgen Klopp himself has publicly refuted immediate links to the Real Madrid job. Speaking on ServusTV, he stated that the rumors 'have absolutely nothing to do with me' and 'didn't trigger anything' for him, reiterating his commitment to his current executive role at Red Bull. This suggests that the claim regarding Vinicius Jr. as a specific condition is largely speculative or exaggerated, lacking widespread credible corroboration.