Jürgen Klopp is returning to professional football: the 57-year-old is to become the new head of football at Red Bull. This was confirmed by the Austrian beverage company on Wednesday morning.
Within a week, Jürgen Klopp received two honors: On Tuesday, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg for his social commitment outside of sports and his fight against racism. Prior to that, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented him with the Federal Cross of Merit.
On Wednesday, his return to professional soccer became official. As Red Bull announced, Klopp will become the new Head of Global Soccer at the company. He will take up his new job on January 1, 2025.
Klopp resigned from his coaching position at Liverpool FC last summer after nine years. The Stuttgart native had subsequently announced a “long break” – and ruled out a quick return to the coaching bench.
“After almost 25 years on the sidelines, I couldn’t be more excited to be involved in a project like this,” Klopp is quoted by Red Bull: ”The role may have changed, but my passion for football and the people who make football what it is has not changed. With my entry into Red Bull on a global level, I want to develop, improve and support the incredible football talent that is available to us.”
In doing so, Klopp wants to ‘use Red Bull’s knowledge and experience and learn from other sports and other industries’. He sees his main role as ‘mentoring the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs’.
From Leipzig to Japan
In addition to RB Leipzig and Salzburg, the New York Red Bulls, RB Bragantino (Brazil) and Omiya Ardija (Japan) also belong to the RB universe. Furthermore, the Austrian beverage company acquired shares in the English second division club Leeds United last May.
Klopp reiterated that “nothing could excite me more”. He is to be officially introduced to his new position at a press conference in mid-January 2025 – an exact date for which has not yet been set.