15 January 2025

Introduced as Red Bull's global head of football, Jurgen Klopp explained why he chose to take on another role outside of football management.

The former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz coach was appointed to his new role late last year and will work across Red Bull-owned clubs including RB Salzburg – where he was introduced – and RB Leipzig.

Klopp left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine successful years with the club, and was replaced by Arne Slott. The Reds currently sit at the top of the Premier League and Champions League tables under their new coach.

When asked why Klopp chose a different job away from management, he replied: “Because it is a different role. I have always said that I love what I do, but after thousands of matches and press conferences, I wanted a new start and a new life.” New opportunity.

“For my stage of life, it's the perfect move now. Now I have a great team. Mario Gomez is part of the international team. Everyone is excited about this company. I'm very happy to do this.”

“I will not be the coach of Red Bull. I am sitting here, as much as I can give a guarantee, but I am the only one who is asked where I will be in five years, four years, three years – no one knows.

“I won't be a Red Bull manager, I hope we create a structure where these questions can't be asked. That would be great.

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Jurgen Klopp talks about his amazing career at Liverpool after an emotional final match for the club

“What I want to do is develop football – develop football for our clubs, for our players and talent, but also for football itself. Someone has to take care of that. So, yes, helping football and at the same time being successful with Red Bull in the long term is “It's very attractive to me.”

Klopp was also questioned about how he managed to transform Liverpool after taking charge of the club in October 2015. In 2020, Klopp led the Reds to their first league title in 30 years, 12 months after leading them to their sixth European Cup.

He explained: “Liverpool had its problems, building a new training ground. I was always involved, but the only thing we cut was the matches.

“I have always been interested in infrastructure and culture, and I have known part of the success and dealt with major defeats because of the culture within the club.”

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Jurgen Klopp has defended the decision to join the Red Bull Group as head of global football after criticism from fans of his previous management clubs.

The German was also questioned about three of his former players – Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk – whose current contracts expire this summer.

Klopp responded: “I am very happy that they are doing well, and I am in contact with Arne (Slot) and some of the players who are sending text messages.” “There's 0.1 percent who think I should stay there because they're doing a good job.

He added: “I watch as many matches as I can, it is good football, and probably the best balanced team in the world right now.

He added: “I am very happy that I am not responsible now for answering these questions, and from my point of view, I wish the three would extend, but they did not tell me.”

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Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaffe Solheikol explains why Jurgen Klopp's appointment as Red Bull's global head of football is 'controversial'

When asked if the trio could go to Red Bull, Klopp gave a humorous response, saying: “Virgil, I'm sure I would love another five years at Liverpool and then 41, 42!

“Mo, we (Red Bull) won't have a chance to pay him. Trent? Yes, then he can learn to defend. He's very poor, he's really very poor.

“I'm glad I don't answer him. I watch the press conferences when he had to talk about thinking.

“Yes, he didn't play well against Manchester United, but if you were to make a fuss when he played well, and when he didn't, it would be a great planet.”

Analysis: Klopp is renewed in his new role

Jurgen Klopp during his introduction ceremony as President of Red Bull World Football
image:
Jurgen Klopp during his introduction ceremony as President of Red Bull World Football

Vinnie O'Connor from Sky Sports News in Salzburg:

From the prospect of Red Bull signing Liverpool's soon-to-be-out-of-contract trio, to the promise that drinks are on them if Manchester City are forced to hand over their trophies – “Oh my God, what a headline,” he chided himself – Jurgen Klopp did not disappoint on his return to pole position. .

Rejuvenated after the break, he looked slim and relaxed in front of 200 media organizations from around the world attending his first press conference as Red Bull's head of global football. His time on the gridiron has clearly served him well. The stress of managing football has disappeared from his face and has been replaced by great enthusiasm for the task ahead of him.

His inquisitive nature had been reignited. He freely admitted that training no longer did it for him, while his new role sparked something.

The chance meeting with Max Verstappen, among others, piques his interest. “How can Max Verstappen fully concentrate on this speed?” he asked rhetorically. “I would like to know. Give me this information and I will try to apply it in football.”

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Max Verstappen has praised Jurgen Klopp and believes his position as the new head of global football at Red Bull will be great for the organisation.

the goal? To help people become better versions of themselves. He even delivered the line “I'd like to give people wings!”

His personal qualities, on display throughout the 90 minutes he spent on stage, combined with his experience in turning around the fortunes of Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool, seem well suited to the mentoring role that Red Bull envision for their coaches.

Furthermore, his player outlook can only inform talent identification and eventual recruiting.

His role may be a little different from what we've seen throughout his career, but today he was as normal as we've ever known him.

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