The revelation of Jurgen Klopp’s move to Red Bull may have come as a shock to many, but the German has had admiration for the company spanning back years.
Klopp was confirmed as the Austrian company’s ‘Global Head of Soccer’ on Wednesday morning and will begin the role on January 1.
The German had been enjoying his time off after leaving Liverpool, following a successful nine-year tenure, back in May.
However, the 57-year-old has signed a long term contract to oversee the international network of all football clubs at Red Bull.
While Klopp’s working relationship with the company is only just beginning, quotes from 2022 have revealed that his curiosity in the project has always been prevelant.
Jurgen Klopp will join Red Bull as ‘Global Head of Soccer’ from the beginning of the new year
Klopp had been taking a hiatus from football after leaving his post as Liverpool boss in May
Quotes following a friendly with Salzburg in 2022 have revealed Klopp’s long-standing admiration for the Red Bull project
During a pre-season tour two years ago, Klopp’s Reds played a friendly against Salzburg in which they lost 1-0.
Following the match, the ex-Liverpool manager said: ‘What Red Bull is doing is a really interesting project, I have to say. They kind of change every year, they sell players but still a good team.
‘It’s really interesting what they are doing. The football philosophy is not too far away from ours as well.’
Clubs such as Salzburg, Leipzig, and New York Red Bulls, all come under the umbrella of the network that Klopp will be responsible for.
He will be required to advise the clubs on coaching matters, playing philosophy, development, and transfers of players and head coaches.
It means that Klopp will once again link up with his former assistant manager Pep Lijnders, who took over as manager at Salzburg in the summer.
‘After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,’ Klopp told the Red Bull website.
When speaking two years ago Klopp stated that Red Bull had a ‘really interesting project’
The former Liverpool boss will link ip with his ex-assistant Pep Lijnders who is Salzburg boss
‘The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not. By joining Red Bull at a global level, I want to develop, improve, and support the incredible football talent that we have at our disposal.
‘There are many ways that we can do this front using the elite knowledge and experience that Red Bull possesses to learning from other sports and other industries.
‘Together we can discover what is possible. I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately, I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative, and forward-looking. As I said, this could not excite me more.’
The role does not necessarily bring the end to Klopp’s coaching career as has negotiated an exit clause that would allow him to take the German national team job.
Salzburg, Leipzig, and New York Red Bulls all come under the umbrella of the network that Klopp will be responsible for
In months gone by, it has been reported that the four-time World Cup winners have earmarked Klopp as a potential successor to current boss Julian Nagelsmann.
However, the former Dortmund manager’s focus will be on the Red Bull project from the start of the new year.