There was a hint of irony behind Jurgen Klopp’s decision to return to football at the top of Red Bull’s enormous web just months after he declared he was running out of steam towards the end of his illustrious nine-year stay at Liverpool.
The energy drinks company achieved one of sport’s biggest successes by luring Klopp, who wore the stress and strains of work on his face as his time at Anfield came to an end, back to work and away from his sprawling villa. in Mallorca.
That toothy, pearl-white smile stubbornly refused to fade, but he lacked the same energy. Retreating, if only for a year or so, to soak up the sun on the island seemed the natural next step and his luxury property, valued at £3.4 million, certainly helped.
Rolling beaches and palm trees beckoned and Klopp made the decision to rebuild his mansion, leaving his wife Ulla in charge of the extensive renovation. The villa is believed to have been transformed into a state-of-the-art, low-energy home.
But Red Bull, in an initiative believed to have been driven by Oliver Mintzlaff, the company’s executive director of investments and corporate projects, presented a proposal that not even a battle-weary Klopp could reject. He will officially start work in January.
Jurgen Klopp has returned to football as Red Bull’s new global director of football
Klopp resigned as Liverpool manager in May after a brilliant nine-year spell.
He revealed that he was looking forward to spending time with his family, including his wife Ulla.
His new role will see him act as the brand’s global head of football, meaning his days of hanging out on the bench have given way to flashy boardrooms.
“After almost 25 years on the sidelines, I couldn’t be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp said in Red Bull’s statement, released Wednesday.
“The role may have changed, but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”
Red Bull owns several clubs around the world, including RB Leipzig of the Bundesliga and New York Red Bulls of the MLS. They also sponsor Red Bull Salzburg.
Klopp is expected to play a crucial role and significant influence in each of these fields.
The company also took a minority stake in Championship team Leeds United and controversially became their front-shirt sponsor.
Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of these clubs and will instead act as an advisor on their playing philosophy, transfer strategy and coaching development.
In simple terms, he will spearhead your strategic vision. Red Bull’s vast global exploration operation will also be within its wheelhouse.
He briefly stepped away from the sport over the summer to recharge his batteries.
Klopp resided in his luxurious £3.4m mansion in Mallorca, which he renovated
The large property on the island was transformed into a state-of-the-art, low-energy home.
It’s a multifaceted role that will see Klopp in several important components of a club’s management and, on paper at least, it looks like a perfect match. After all, Red Bull clubs are famous for their heavy metal style of play, Klopp’s preferred approach.
He appears, then, to be taking on a role similar to that of Michael Edwards at Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owners. Edwards, who worked alongside Klopp as sporting director at Anfield, was tempted to return to the fold two years after leaving.
FSG has adopted a path of multi-club ownership, an increasingly popular trend in football, and Edwards was crowned its chief football officer with the aim of identifying teams to be part of its network.
Like Klopp, Edwards has a broad remit spanning a number of roles. However, it is the German who has the initial advantage, as Red Bull expanded and spread its sensors around the world several years ago.
Klopp will also be reunited with his former Liverpool number 2, Pep Ljinders, now head coach of Red Bull Salzburg, when he starts work next year. Vitor Matos and Andreas Kornmayer, also part of Klopp’s backroom, work alongside Ljinders.
Klopp to advise Red Bull clubs on playing styles, transfer strategy and coach development
His role appears similar to Michael Edwards’ (left) responsibilities at Fenway Sports Group.
There are deeper connections too. One of the main influences behind Red Bull’s philosophy is Ralf Rangnick, who, like Klopp, has made a high-pressure, high-octane style his hallmark, apart from a nightmarish interim spell at Manchester United.
Rangnick became Red Bull’s head of sport and development after acting as sporting director at both Salzburg and Leipzig and is an occasional confidant of Klopp.
There were fleeting signs of growing mutual respect between Klopp and Red Bull, dating back to 2022. Speaking after a pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Salzburg in July, Klopp openly praised the organisation.
“What Red Bull is doing is a really interesting project, I have to say,” he said. “They change every year, they sell players, but they are still a good team.”
‘It’s really interesting what they’re doing. “The philosophy of football is not very far from ours either.”
Klopp was seen attending Euro 2024 matches and the Paralympic Games in Paris in August
One of the main influences behind Red Bull’s philosophy is Ralf Rangnick, a confidant of Klopp.
All signs point to Klopp remaining in the role for the next few years, but there is believed to be a clause inserted into his contract that would allow him to resign to become head coach of the German national team, should they come close.
He has made no secret of his desire to hold the position one day and that, perhaps, is the only coaching position important enough to take him back into management.
But now, his focus is solely on Red Bull.
Their plan – identifying young, talented players, developing big names, and a high-energy approach on the field – coincides perfectly with yours, making the move nothing short of a masterstroke.
“Together we can discover what is possible,” he said.
‘I see my role primarily as a mentor to the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am part of a unique, innovative and forward-thinking organization.
“Like I said, I couldn’t be more excited about this.”
Now reinvigorated and raring to go, Klopp’s talk of early retirement seems a world away.
Red Bull have seen the value in sprinkling some of Klopp’s irresistible magic into their brand, but there is no escaping the fact that he has no experience in roles beyond the confines of the daily tasks of managing one of the biggest clubs. of the world.
However, he has recharged his batteries after spending the last five months relaxing at his home in Mallorca and playing paddle tennis, a sport close to his heart. Klopp was also seen watching Euro 2024 matches and attending the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Now revitalized, Klopp’s talk of premature retirement seems a world away.