Jurgen Klopp explained why he chose to take on a role other than football management during his inauguration as Red Bull’s global head of football.
The former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz manager was appointed to his new role at the end of last year and will work at Red Bull-owned clubs, including RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig, where he has been featured.
Klopp left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine successful years at the club and was replaced by Arne Slott. The Reds currently sit top of the Premier League and Champions League standings under their new manager.
When asked why Klopp chose a career other than management, he replied: “Because it’s a different role. I’ve always said I love what I do, but after thousands of games and press conferences, I wanted a fresh start, a better life, a new opportunity.
“This is the perfect step in my life. Now I have a fantastic team. Mario Gomez is part of the international team. Everyone is passionate about this company. I’m really happy to be doing this.
“I will not be the coach of the Red Bull team. I can assure you that I am sitting here, but I am the only one asked where I will be in five years, four years, three years. No one knows.
“I’m not going to become a Red Bull club manager. I hope we create a structure where questions like this can’t be asked. I hope so.”
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Jurgen Klopp reflects on his incredible career at Liverpool after an emotional final game in charge of the club.
“What I want to do is to develop football. To develop football not only for our clubs, for our players, for our talent, but also for football itself. Someone has to manage that. Yes, help football, but at the same time Being successful with Red Bull in the long term is very attractive to me.”
Klopp was also asked how he has been able to transform Liverpool since taking over the club in October 2015. In 2020, Klopp guided Manchester United to their first top-flight title in 30 years, 12 months after leading Liverpool to their sixth European Cup title.
He explained: “Liverpool had problems building their new training ground. I was always involved, but the only thing we stopped playing was the game.”
“I have always been interested in infrastructure, culture and knowing some of the successes and dealing with big defeats because of the culture within the club.”
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Jurgen Klopp has defended his decision to join the Red Bull Group as head of global football after criticism from fans of his former club.
The German was also asked about three of his former players – Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk – whose current contracts expire this summer.
Klopp responded: “I’m so happy they’re doing well. I’m in touch with Arne (Slot) and sending texts to some of the players.” “The 0.1% think they are doing so well that I should continue to be there.
“I watch as many games as I can because this is really good football, probably the most balanced team in the world at the moment.
“I’m so glad I’m not responsible for answering these questions right now, and from my perspective, I hope all three are extended, but they haven’t told me.”
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Sky Sports News chief reporter Kave Solhekol explains why Jurgen Klopp’s appointment as global head of Red Bull football is considered ‘controversial’.
When asked if the three could join the Red Bull team, Klopp humorously replied, “Virgil, I’m sure I’d like to spend another 41 or 42 years at Liverpool.”
“Mo, we (Red Bull) won’t have a chance to pay his wages. Trent? Yeah, then he can learn to defend. It’s so bad, it’s so bad.
“I’m glad he didn’t respond. I’m watching the press conference when he should be speaking his mind.
“Yes, he didn’t play well against Manchester United, but if he makes a fuss when he plays well, it’s a wonderful planet when he doesn’t.”
Analysis: Klopp rejuvenated in new role
Jurgen Klopp takes office as Red Bull’s global head of football
Vinny O’Connor of Sky Sports News in Salzburg:
From the ironic prospect that Red Bull will sign a Liverpool trio soon to be out of contract, to the promise that Manchester City will be drinking if they have to hand over their title – “Oh God, that’s the headline.” I reprimanded myself. Jurgen Klopp did not disappoint in his return to center stage.
Rejuvenated after his break, he looked slim and relaxed in front of 200 media outlets from around the world attending his first press conference as Red Bull’s head of global football. Clearly, his time on the paddle court has benefited him. The stress of being a football manager disappeared from his face, replaced by enthusiasm for the job ahead.
His curiosity was rekindled. He freely admits that coaching no longer does that for him, but his new role has sparked something.
The opportunity to meet Max Verstappen especially excites him. “How can Max Verstappen stay fully focused at that pace?” he asked rhetorically. “I’d like to know. Give me that information and I’ll try to apply it to football.”
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Max Verstappen has praised Jurgen Klopp and believes his position as Red Bull’s new global head of football will be of great benefit to the organisation.
What is your goal? To help people become better versions of themselves. He even said, “I want to give people wings!”
His unique qualities throughout his 90 minutes on stage, combined with his experience of changing the fortunes of Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool, make him well suited to the role of mentoring coaches envisioned by Red Bull.
Plus, his eye for players can only help with talent identification and ultimately recruiting.
His role may be somewhat different from what we’ve seen throughout his career, but today he was as normal as we know him to be.
