Jurgen Klopp's former Liverpool manager has reportedly agreed to his shock move to join Red Bull at a meeting two years ago.
It was announced on Wednesday that Klopp would become Red Bull's “global head of football” from January 1.
The role will require Klopp to be responsible for the international network of all Red Bull football clubs – including Leipzig, Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.
He will be required to advise clubs on coaching issues, playing philosophy, development and transfers of players and head coaches.
Klopp has been on a break from football since stepping down as Liverpool manager after nine years at the end of last season.
Jurgen Klopp will join Red Bull as “global head of football” from the start of the new year
The 57-year-old is said to have agreed to the deal while he was still Liverpool manager
Klopp has reportedly agreed a 2022 deal with late Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz
According to German publication TZ, Klopp's shocking move to Red Bull is planned from September 2022.
Klopp reportedly attended a meeting in Salzburg with Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died a month later at the age of 78.
The Austrian billionaire reportedly convinced Klopp to take over as Red Bull's global head of football in a deal that would take him to the position in early 2025.
Klopp officially announced he would step down as Liverpool manager in January this year, 15 months after the German reportedly agreed a deal with the energy drinks giant.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull's chief motorsport adviser, added that he suggested the deal had been agreed for some time.
“It's unbelievable how such a huge transaction could remain a secret for so long,” he told TZ.
“That would never be possible in Formula 1.”
Klopp was targeted by the US national team earlier this year – before Mauricio Pochettino was appointed coach – but the 57-year-old reportedly already knew he would have to say no to any offer.
In his speech two years ago, Klopp said Red Bull had a “really interesting project”
All Red Bulls teams from Salzburg, Leipzig and New York are part of the network, which Klopp will be responsible for
Kloppwho has reportedly signed a long-term contract with Red Bull, previously spoke admiringly about Red Bull's football project after a friendly match against RB Salzburg in 2022.
“I must admit that what Red Bull is doing is a really interesting project,” Klopp said. – They change every year, they sell players, but they are still a good team.
“It's really interesting what they're doing. The football philosophy is also not too far from ours.
Klopp's decision was not warmly welcomed by fans of his former club Borussia Dortmund, who have long had problems with RB Leipzig over their ownership model.
Speaking about his new role, Klopp told the Red Bull website: “After almost 25 years on the sidelines, I couldn't be more excited to be 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 on a global level, I want to develop, improve and support the incredible football talent we have.
After confirming his new role at Red Bull, Klopp took to social media to address his followers
“There are many ways we can do this, using the elite knowledge and experience that Red Bull has to learn from other sports and other industries.
“Together we can discover what is possible. I see my role primarily as a mentor to Red Bull coaches and club management, but ultimately I am part of an organization that is unique, innovative and forward-looking. Like I said, this couldn't have turned me on more.
Klopp negotiated a release clause that would allow him to take up the German national team job if someone approached him.
It has been widely reported in recent months that the European giants have named Klopp as a potential successor to current coach Julian Nagelsmann, whose contract runs until the end of the 2026 World Cup.
