Jürgen Klopp has agreed to take on new role as Head of Global Soccer at Austria-based Red Bull, starting on January 1, 2025, in his first appointment since stepping down at Liverpool FC.
Klopp will oversee Red Bull’s international network of soccer clubs.
Red Bull owns RB Leipzig in Germany’s Bundesliga, Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg and US Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, as well as Brazilian side Red Bull Bragantino. It also has a minority stake in English Championship side Leeds United and became the club’s front-of-shirt sponsor earlier this year.
Red Bull said Klopp will not be involved in the clubs’ day-to-day operations, but will provide “strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy.”
Additionally, the 57-year-old will support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.
Klopp said: “After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this.
“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 from 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.”
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments at Red Bull, said: “We are very proud of this outstanding and certainly the strongest signing in Red Bull’s soccer history.
“Jürgen Klopp is one of the greatest and most influential figures in world soccer, with extraordinary skills and charisma.
“In his role as Head of Soccer, he will be a game changer for our involvement in international soccer and its continued development.
“We are hoping for valuable and decisive impulses in key areas to make the clubs even better, both collectively and individually.”