Jurgen Klopp’s new position as Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull has been met with a whole host of opinions on what it means for football.
From ruining his own legacy and ostracising Dortmund fans to honouring an old agreement and letting him stay in the sport he loves without affecting his health, the decision has proven controversial at the very least.
Red Bull’s football holdings span both Europe and the Americas, with Klopp overseeing RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg, the MLS’s New York Red Bulls, Brazil’s Red Bull Bragantino, and most recently the Japanese 3rd division side Omiya Ardija.
Importantly for English football, however, is the minority stake that Red Bull purchased in Championship side Leeds United earlier this year.
Whilst the Yorkshire outfit are majority-owned by 49ers Enterprises, there have been murmurs of whether Klopp will become involved back in English football despite saying Liverpool are the only English side he could ever work for.
Stefan Borson of Football Insider is reporting that any oversight of Leeds has not been discussed as part of Klopp’s role due to Red Bull not having full direct responsibility for the club.
This will be welcome news to the ears of Reds who, whilst unhappy with the decision, could at least come back to Klopp not working with any of their English rivals.
Klopp made a promise to not manage another English club, after all.
“Whatever will happen in the future I don’t know now, but no club, no country, for the next year, and no other English club ever,” he said at a press conference, per beIN Sports.
“I can promise that, even if I have nothing to eat that will not happen.”
Does that extend to working behind the scenes, though? Only time will tell.
Jurgen Klopp’s Red Bull and Leeds United
Red Bull reportedly own around 10% of Leeds and have little, if any, sporting influence over the club. If they were to increase their shares in the future, particularly to a majority stake, then Klopp would almost certainly oversee the sporting operations at Elland Road also.
However, if it does come down to advice and opinions being taken on by all relevant owners, then undoubtedly Klopp would be involved in Red Bull’s discussions with Leeds.
Leeds visited Anfield on their first Premier League game in 16 years back in 2020, going toe-to-toe with Jurgen Klopp’s men in a blistering 4-3 win for Liverpool.
Leeds’ first victory at Anfield in over 21 years came in October 2022 when Crysencio Summerville poked home a 90th-minute winner for the Whites.
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