Jurgen Klopp is considered to be one of the best head coaches of the modern generation after his exploits with Liverpool from 2015 until 2024.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss won every trophy there is to win with the Reds, including their first English top-flight title in three decades in 2020 and the Champions League in the previous campaign.
Before his stint at Liverpool, he enjoyed a successful period in charge of Dortmund, where, among other trophies, he won the Bundesliga title twice.
Klopp left Liverpool in the summer of 2024
In January 2024, Klopp announced that he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season, as he was ‘running out of energy’.
It was a shock announcement, as it seemed to come out of the blue. It was an emotional time for Klopp himself, as well as the Liverpool fans, who had worshipped the German coach.
He vowed never to manage another English club in the future, which was a show of loyalty to the Merseysiders. Klopp was then expected to have a break from management.
However, in July 2024, speaking to ESPN, he announced that he was retiring from football and was ‘done’ with coaching. It seemed a strange statement for a 57-year-old to make, as he is relatively young to retire from coaching.
Starting a new role in January
Earlier this week, it was announced that Klopp will become Red Bull’s ‘Head of Global Soccer’ on January 1st 2025. Similar to his announcement that he was leaving Liverpool, this was also highly surprising.
The Austrian drinks firm owns a multi-club network that includes Austrian outfit RB Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, and Brazilian club Red Bull Bragantino.
It also owns the majority of shares in RB Leipzig. However, the club are not official owners due to the country’s rules on owning football clubs. The energy firm does finance the club, though.
Leipzig is regarded as one of the most hated clubs in Germany because of their origins. In 2009, Red Bull bought fifth-tier club SSV Markranstadt and changed its name to RasenBallSport Leipzig.
Unlike some of their other clubs in the network, Red Bull was not allowed to rename the club Red Bull Leipzig because sponsor names are not permitted in a club’s name in Germany; hence, RasenBallSport Leipzig, now more commonly known just as RB Leipzig.
Klopp’s new role has not gone down well with those attached to former club Borussia Dortmund, in particular. Others in his homeland claim that he has sold his soul. However, BVB has been one of the biggest critics of how Red Bull has gone about things in Leipzig.
One of their former heroes joining the Red Bull organisation may feel like a kick in the guts for Dortmund fans. However, it is not like Klopp is joining Leipzig as a coach.
He will not only work with the German club, but he will work with all the clubs in Red Bull’s stable. The move has fans questioning Klopp’s loyalty to BVB. In truth, though, due to his hero status at the club, fans will likely soon forgive him for what they consider a betrayal.
When he retires from the game, it is unlikely that he will be remembered as ‘The Head of Global Soccer’ for Red Bull. He will be remembered as a highly successful Dortmund and Liverpool head coach.
It could be a good move all around
Reportedly, Klopp was unsure about taking the position, as he had expressed doubts about the multi-club setup in the past. Some will say that he has suddenly changed his tune.
However, the arrangement could suit Klopp and Red Bull. Hiring the former Liverpool and Dortmund boss with all his expertise in football is a massive coup for the company.
He will undoubtedly bring a lot to the role, and everybody connected with Red Bull must be delighted to have him as part of their team.
For Klopp, it could be a wise move too. He will no doubt be compensated generously, although he likely doesn’t need the money.
The aspect of the job that may appeal most to Klopp is that he gets to stay within the game without having the everyday hassles of managing a high-profile football team.
The comment about running low on energy is understandable (also ironic), considering the amount of emotion Klopp has always put into his management style. He was always energetic on the sidelines and wore his heart on his sleeve.
The new role means he can still make a difference in football without having to be full-tilt every day, which could well suit him after such a long, non-stop stint in full-time management at the highest level.
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However, Jurgen Klopp is undoubtedly a loss to the managerial world. Love him or hate him, there is no doubt that he is an excellent football manager, and he is likely to do an excellent job in his new role at Red Bull.
