Revealed: Jurgen Klopp ‘agreed to Red Bull job while Liverpool boss’ – with shock role ‘sealed in crucial meeting two years ago’

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly agreed to his shock move to join Red Bull two years ago.

It was announced on Wednesday that Klopp will become the ‘Global Head of Soccer’ at Red Bull from January 1.

This role requires Klopp to be responsible for the international network of all football clubs at Red Bull – including Leipzig, Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls.

He will have to advise the clubs on coaching matters, playing philosophy, development and transfers of players and head coaches.

Klopp has enjoyed a break from football since stepping down as Liverpool boss at the end of last season after nine years.

Jurgen Klopp will join Red Bull as ‘Global Head of Soccer’ from the start of the new year

The 57-year-old is said to have completed the deal when he was still Liverpool manager

Klopp reportedly agreed the deal in 2022 with Red Bull’s late co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz

According to German publication TZ, Klopp’s shock move to Red Bull has been in the pipeline since September 2022.

Klopp is said to have attended a meeting in Salzburg with Red Bull’s co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died the following month at the age of 78.

The Austrian billionaire is said to have convinced Klopp to become Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer, agreeing a deal that could see him take up the position in early 2025.

Klopp officially announced in January this year that he would step down as Liverpool boss, fifteen months after the German closed the deal with the energy drinks giant.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s chief motorsport advisor, added to the suggestions that the deal had been agreed for some time.

“It’s unbelievable how such a mega deal could remain secret for so long,” he told TZ.

“That would never have been possible in Formula 1.”

Klopp was targeted by the US national team earlier this year – before Mauricio Pochettino was appointed boss – but the 57-year-old reportedly already knew he would have to reject any approach.

When Klopp spoke two years ago, he said Red Bull had a ‘very interesting project’

Salzburg, Leipzig and New York Red Bulls all fall under the umbrella of the network for which Klopp will be responsible

Kloppwho has reportedly signed a long-term deal with Red Bull, previously spoke admiringly of Red Bull’s football project after a friendly with RB Salzburg in 2022.

“What Red Bull is doing is a very interesting project, I must say,” 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 far removed from ours.’

Klopp’s decision has not been warmly received by fans of his former club Borussia Dortmund, who have long had issues with RB Leipzig over their ownership model.

Speaking about his new role, Klopp said on Red Bull’s website: ‘After almost 25 years on the sidelines, I couldn’t 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 we have at our disposal.

Klopp took to social media to address his followers after his new role at Red Bull was confirmed

“There are many ways we can do this by using the elite knowledge and experience that Red Bull possesses to learn from other sports and other industries.

‘Together we can discover what is possible. I see my role primarily as a mentor to the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs, but ultimately I am part of an organization that is unique, innovative and future-oriented. Like I said, this couldn’t excite me more.’

Klopp has negotiated an exit clause that would allow him to take up the German national team job – should he be approached.

It has been widely reported in recent months that the European giants have identified Klopp as a potential successor to current boss Julian Nagelsmann – whose contract runs until the end of the 2026 World Cup.