Red Bull 'close in' on major deal after Jurgen Klopp announcement and Liverpool exit

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
-Credit: (Image: 2024 AMA Sports Photo Agency)


Red Bull look poised to complete their first major deal since announcing the new role for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The German was confirmed as the new 'Global Head of Soccer' for the group on Wednesday and will formally take on the role from January 1 next year.

Klopp left Liverpool in the summer after close to nine years as the club's manager. The 56-year-old was replaced by new head coach Arne Slot, who has since guided the Reds to nine wins across his first 10 fixtures in charge in all competitions.

The announcement comes almost nine months after Klopp first confirmed that he would be leaving Liverpool. The role will see Klopp support clubs in Red Bull's group which includes Leipzig in the Bundesliga, Salzburg in Austria, New York in Major League Soccer and Bragantino in Brazil.

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Just hours after the announcement, a report has emerged claiming that Red Bull are ready to strike another deal. According to L'Equipe, the group are prepared to launch a takeover of French club Paris FC.

The report states that work has been underway for several months for Red Bull to complete the takeover of the club, which is currently top of the second tier of French football. It remains to be seen what role Klopp may have once he starts his role in January and if and when the takeover is completed.

Klopp took to social media to explain his decision to return to football months after leaving Liverpool. The former Reds boss cited his love of football and desire to learn more about the game as reasons for his new move.

"Some of you might have heard already, some of you won't," said Klopp in a video posted to his Instagram page. "From January 1, 2025 I will be Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull and I'm really looking forward to that.

"A few months ago I said I don't see myself on the sidelines anymore and that is still the case, but I still love football and I still love working and Red Bull gives me the perfect platform for that. I want to share my experience that I collected over the years and we all know there are more successful managers out there.

"In my career, I've fought for promotion, I've fought against relegation. I've fought for titles, and I've fought for trophies. Sometimes we failed, sometimes we succeeded, and dealing with that is not easy but it is possible. Then, I want to learn again because when you're in the job and you have to play every three days you barely have time for that.

"Now I have time and I have the opportunity and I want to see and feel and figure out what is useful for football. So developing football a little bit as well. As I said, I'm really looking forward to it but now I go back on holiday."