Jürgen Klopp is going back to work!
Jürgen Klopp will take on new role as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, starting on January 1, 2025 – his first appointment since stepping down from a hugely successful spell in charge of Premier League giants Liverpool.
In his new position, the charismatic German will oversee Red Bull’s international network of soccer clubs. 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.
The first team that comes to mind is RB Leipzig, a team that has been at a high level for several years now, but has yet to make the leap to fight on a level playing field with Europe’s elite. In addition, Red Bull also has Salzburg, Leeds United, New York Red Bulls, RB Bragantino and Omiya Ardija in its portfolio.
According to Sport Bild, it was Oliver Mintzlaff, who is responsible for all the company’s sporting projects, who has decided to invest in Jurgen Klopp in his capacity as CEO of Red Bull’s sports divisions. The former Liverpool coach would bring specialist knowledge, experience, contacts and charisma. He would become a mix of strategist, analyst and consultant on transfer and coaching matters, making him the cornerstone of the development of these clubs.
Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the last season, having been with the club since 2015. Yesterday marked the anniversary of Klopp’s arrival at Anfield.
Read: Nine years ago, Jürgen Klopp joined Liverpool!
Klopp, whose coaching career began with Mainz 05 back in 2001, spoke of his excitement at the prospect of taking over a multi-club project in a strategic role.
Jürgen Klopp named head of global soccer at Red Bull
🚨 Jurgen Klopp joins The Red Bull Group as new Global Head of Soccer, coordinating all the clubs including RB Leipzig, Salzburg and more.
Klopp will advise all the clubs on transfers/strategy from January 1, 2025.
“I want to develop the incredible soccer talent that we have”. pic.twitter.com/RTq4TpC2Iy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 9, 2024
“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this” – he said. “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.”
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments at Red Bull, described the news as the biggest appointment in the history of Red Bull’s involvement in soccer.
“We are very proud of this outstanding and certainly the strongest signing in Red Bull’s soccer history” – he said. “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.”
