Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will return to football in the new year as global head of soccer at Red Bull.
Klopp walked away from Anfield at the end of last season after leaving an indelible mark on the club, and English football as a whole, after eight and a half years in charge, during which time he led the Merseysiders to the Premier League and Champions League titles.
He said at the time he would take a year-long sabbatical before considering his options but is set to return ahead of schedule with a remit of looking after Red Bull’s international network of clubs.
That includes RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls among others.
According to Red Bull, he “will not be involved in the clubs’ day-to-day operations, but will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy. Additionally, the 57-year-old will support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.”
Klopp “could not be more excited”
Klopp said: “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 other 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 organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more.”
“…this could not excite me more.” Jüergen Klopp
The feeling is mutual💪 #GivesYouWiiings pic.twitter.com/YpaEohZX4o
— Red Bull (@redbull) October 9, 2024
Mintzlaff delighted to have secured Klopp
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of corporate projects and investments at Red Bull, is credited with managing to secure Klopp.
He said: “We are very proud of this outstanding and certainly the strongest signing in Red Bull’s soccer history. Jürgen Klopp is one of the greatest and most influential figures in world soccer, with extraordinary skills and charisma.
“In his role as head of soccer, he will be a game changer for our involvement in international soccer and its continued development. We are hoping for valuable and decisive impulses in key areas to make the clubs even better, both collectively and individually.”
Sky Sports Germany claim Klopp has signed a long-term contract with Red Bull with an exit clause that would allow him to take over as coach of the Germany national team should Julian Nagelsmann walk away.
The 57-year-old has been linked with other international jobs over the past few months. He was believed to be of interest to the FA as they search for a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate while the United States also considered an approach before giving the job to Mauricio Pochettino.
