Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been appointed as the head of football operations at Red Bull, which oversees clubs in Leipzig, Salzburg, and New York, the company announced on Wednesday.
Klopp, who concluded a successful nine-year tenure with Liverpool at the end of last season, will officially begin his new role on January 1, 2025. He will take on a strategic role overseeing Red Bull’s network of clubs, providing guidance on long-term vision, assisting sporting directors, supporting global scouting, and helping to train and develop coaches.
This marks his return to football after leaving Liverpool after the 2023-24 season, following a successful nine-year tenure at Anfield. According to various German media reports, Klopp’s contract includes a break clause should the position of head coach for the Germany men’s national team open up after the 2026 World Cup.
Klopp stated, “After nearly 25 years on the sidelines, I couldn’t be more excited to be 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.”
He stated that by partnering with Red Bull on a global scale, he aims to nurture, enhance, and support the exceptional football talent available. The former Liverpool manager emphasized that this can be achieved through leveraging Red Bull’s expertise and insights from various 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 organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” he stated.
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of corporate projects and investments at Red Bull, 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.”
Klopp joined Liverpool in October 2015, leading the team to victory in several prestigious tournaments, including the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup, Super Cup, and Community Shield during his tenure. Klopp, who previously guided Borussia Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup, and a Champions League final in 2013, revealed in January that he would be departing Liverpool after the season
Frances Ibiefo
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