At his unveiling as Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer, Jurgen Klopp explained why he chose to take on a different role outside of football management.
The former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz boss was appointed to his new role late last year and will work at Red Bull-owned clubs including RB Salzburg – where his unveiling took place – and RB Leipzig.
Klopp left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine successful years at the club and was replaced by Arne Slot. Under their new boss, the Reds currently sit at the top of the Premier League and Champions League table.
When asked why Klopp chose another job outside management, he replied: “Because it is a different role. I have always said that I love what I do, but after a thousand games and press conferences I wanted a fresh start and a new start.” new chance.
“For the stage of my life now, this is the perfect step. Now I have a fantastic team. Mario Gomez is part of the international team. Everyone is passionate about this company. I am absolutely happy to do this.”
“I will not be a coach of a Red Bull team. I am sitting here, as far as I can guarantee, but I am the only person who is asked where I will be in five years, four years, three years – no one knows It.
“I will not be a club manager of Red Bull, I hope that we create a structure in which these questions cannot be asked. That would be cool.
“What I want to do is develop football. Develop football for our clubs, for our players and for our talents, but also for football itself. Someone has to take care of that. So yes, helping football and at the same time being successful with Red Bull the long term really appeals to me.”
Klopp was also asked about how he managed to transform Liverpool after taking over the club in October 2015. In 2020, Klopp guided the Reds to a first top-flight title in 30 years, 12 months after leading them to a sixth European Cup.
He explained: “Liverpool had their problems, building a new training ground, I was always involved but the only thing we turned down was games.
“I was always interested in infrastructure and culture. I knew some success and faced big defeats because of the culture within the 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.
“I'm so happy they're doing well, I'm in contact with Arne [Slot] and some players are texting,” Klopp replied. 'There's 0.1 percent who think I should still be there because they're doing so well.
“I watch as many games as I can because it is such good football, perhaps the best balanced team in the world at the moment.
“I'm so glad I'm not in charge right now to answer these questions and from my point of view I hope all three go through, but they haven't told me.
When asked if the trio could join a Red Bull team, Klopp responded with a humorous response: “Virgil, I'm sure I would love to stay at Liverpool for five more years than 41, 42!
“Mo, us [Red Bull] would have no chance to pay his wages. Trent? Yes, then he can learn to defend. It's so poor, it's really that poor.
'I'm glad I don't answer it. I watch the press conferences in which he had to talk about thinking.
“Yes, he didn't play well against Man United, but if you made a fuss about it when he plays well and when he doesn't, it would be a cool planet.”
Analysis: Klopp rejuvenated in new role
Vinny O'Connor from Sky Sports News in Salzburg:
From the ironic prospect of Red Bull signing Liverpool's soon-to-be contractless trio, to the promise that the drinks will be on his account if Manchester City are forced to relinquish their titles – “oh god, what a headline,” he says. berated himself – Jurgen Klopp did not disappoint on his return to the podium.
Revitalized after his break, he looked lean and relaxed in front of the 200 media organizations from around the world attending his first press conference as Red Bull's head of global football. It is clear that the time he spent on the padel court has served him well. The stress of football management has faded from his face, replaced by an exuberance for the job ahead.
His curious nature has been sparked again. He openly admitted that coaching no longer did that for him, while his new role did make a difference.
The chance to meet Max Verstappen, among others, fascinates him. “How can Max Verstappen be completely focused at that speed?” he asked rhetorically. “I would like to know. Give me that information and I will try to use it in football.”
The goal? To help people become a better version of themselves. He even threw in the line “I'd like to give people wings!”
His personal qualities, which shone through the entire 90 minutes he was on the podium, combined with his experience in transforming the fortunes of Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool, seem to fit well with the mentor role for their coaches that Red Bull had eyes.
Moreover, his eye for a player can only benefit talent identification and ultimately recruitment.
His role may be slightly different than what we've seen throughout his career, but today he was as normal as we've ever known him.
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