The former Liverpool manager was unveiled as Red Bull's new global head of football and ruled out a seat in the team's top job.
Jürgen Klopp was introduced as Red Bull's new Head of Global Soccer on Tuesday. The former Liverpool manager, who left his role at Anfield last summer, spoke to the media in Salzburg, the energy drinks giant's headquarters.
During the press conference, Klopp outlined his vision for overseeing Red Bull's football operations, while making it clear that he will not manage any of the group's teams. He discussed several other topics, including which Liverpool player he wants to see in MLS.
Explaining why he resigned as manager:
“I wasn't really happy as a coach anymore. Every week felt repetitive: one match after another. I am naturally curious and wanted to discover something new. Instead of focusing on improving specific aspects of one team, I now want to improve football on a global scale. It's no longer about preparing for the next match; it is about working on the bigger picture.”
Red Bull's vision:
“This brand goes much further than football in the sports world. If there is an aircraft that delivers extraordinary performance, chances are it comes from Red Bull. As sports fans, we love that. I am here now and I am happy to work with such a fantastic team. Everyone in this company, across all departments, is very passionate about what they do. The work here is driven by commitment and enthusiasm.”
His goals at Red Bull:
“My goal is to share my experience and see where it leads. Every club around the world operates under unique circumstances, so my role will be advisory. I will not dictate what others should do; anyone here can contact me at any time. This is not just a publicity campaign. If I had to describe what I really want to do, I would say: I want to help people and give them wings. That fits perfectly with Red Bull's ethos.”
His high-pressure jobs at Liverpool and Dortmund:
“In the public eye, I was often seen as the passionate motivator on the sidelines. But my role at Liverpool was much more strategic. In addition, as head coach I was closely involved in transfers and broader decision-making. In the same way, at Dortmund as a team we made a lot of collective decisions. Now my focus is on a global scale, spread across multiple clubs.”
About the amount of money in football:
“Of course money plays a crucial role in football. But there is still plenty of room to make smart decisions and develop innovative models. Sponsors offer flexibility, but what really matters is how you use those resources.”
Coaching a Red Bull club in the future:
“No, I can absolutely rule that out. The agreement is clear: coaching one of Red Bull's teams is not on the table. While none of us know where we will be in two, three or five years, I hope we can create a structure that makes such questions irrelevant.”
Addressing criticism of the switch to Red Bull:
“It is important to understand the dynamics of newer clubs. I bring my experience from historic clubs I have worked with. The key is to ensure that everyone involved (fans, players, employees) feels part of a meaningful journey. While tradition is important, passion and excitement are not exclusive to long-standing clubs.”
Liverpool players he would sign:
'Maybe Virgil. I could see Virgil van Dijk playing for New York Red Bulls in a few years. And Trent [Alexander-Arnold]Naturally. But I'm afraid we can't afford him! If he could defend a little… (laughs). I really appreciate him as a footballer and enjoyed working with him.”
On coaching the German national team:
“That's not something I think about. I tackle everything I take on with full conviction, just like this new role. Moreover, we already have the best coach for the German national team. He has been the most influential figure in recent years, transforming the team after a difficult period. I hope he continues for another ten years and takes home more titles.”
Get your game on! Whether you like NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class football goals or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Comments