Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made Red Bull job decision 'in 2022' to grant dying wish
Jurgen Klopp will become Red Bull's Head of Soccer in January in his first job in football since departing Liverpool at the end of last season and it seems it is a move decided long ago
by Scott Trotter · The MirrorJurgen Klopp agreed to take a role at Red Bull while he was still Liverpool manager during a meeting in 2022, it is claimed.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss was confirmed as Red Bull's Head of Soccer in a role in which he will oversee the brands portfolio of clubs, including RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls. Klopp is set to start in his new position in January 2025.
It appears the announcement has been a longtime coming, despite Klopp only departing Liverpool in May after announcing his intention to step down away from Anfield in January. The German national is said to have met with the late Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull's founder, two years ago.
German outlet tz report that Klopp was persuaded by the terminally ill Mateschitz, who died weeks following the meeting, to take on a role at Red Bull in the future. It is also suggested that visits to Dortmund and Mainz in recent weeks were not a coincidence ahead of a controversial move.
RB's chief motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, expressed how impressive it was to keep the deal secret. He said: "It's unbelievable how such a mega deal could remain secret for so long. That would never have been possible in Formula 1."
Klopp is excited to take on a role away from the touchline and expects to mentor the group's coaches. After his move was confirmed, he 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 front 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."
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