Jurgen Klopp Appointed Head of Football Operations at Red Bull

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been appointed as the head of football operations at Red Bull, the Austrian energy drinks giant that oversees clubs such as RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, and New York Red Bulls. The announcement was made on Wednesday.

Klopp, 57, departed from Liverpool at the end of the previous season after an impressive nine-year tenure that saw him rejuvenate the club and secure significant trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League. His announcement in January about stepping down came as a surprise to fans, with Klopp citing exhaustion from the demanding role.

In his new position, Klopp will not engage in hands-on coaching but will focus on strategic oversight. A statement from Red Bull clarified that he will “not interfere in the day-to-day business of the clubs” and will primarily serve as a mentor to the coaches and management teams within the organization.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs,” Klopp stated. “After nearly 25 years on the sidelines, I couldn’t be more excited to be involved in a project like this.”

Klopp is set to begin his new role on January 1, 2025. Reports from Sky Germany indicate that his contract includes an exit clause, enabling him to assume the role of manager for the German national team if approached.

Currently, Klopp spends much of his time at his residence in Majorca, Spain, and continues to hold a sponsorship role with German sportswear company Adidas.

Hans-Joachim Watzke, managing director of Borussia Dortmund, Klopp’s former club, expressed his support for Klopp’s new role, revealing that they had previously discussed the position. “As always, I wish Jurgen good luck in his new job,” Watzke said, adding that he was not surprised by the announcement.

Earlier this month, Klopp was honored with Germany’s Federal Cross of Merit for his contributions to football. In addition to its extensive football operations, Red Bull is also the principal sponsor of the reigning Formula One champion team led by Max Verstappen.