Jurgen Klopp, enjoying a day off in New York, found himself waking early due to jet lag. His morning involved catching up on Japanese football, watching an RB Leipzig game, strolling along Fifth Avenue and through Central Park, and even scouting stadium snacks for an upcoming New York Red Bulls match. This leisurely day led him to a significant realization.
Reflecting on Liverpool`s defeat earlier that day, Klopp cheerfully admitted, “I was so happy I didn`t have to explain why we lost, like I would have a year ago.” He continued, “That`s why I`m walking through Central Park this afternoon and thinking, `Yes! Perfect decision.`”
This Saturday offered a refreshing change for the former Reds manager, whose weekends once revolved entirely around matches where he felt “1,000% responsibility.” Since leaving Anfield, he`s embraced a new role as Red Bull`s Head of Global Soccer, a move he believes benefits all parties. The position aligns with his tactical vision and capitalizes on his title-winning reputation, keeping him engaged in a field similar to his coaching past. He firmly states this isn`t retirement nor a temporary stop before returning to coaching.
Regarding coaching, he declared, “I don`t miss anything. I didn`t miss [it] from the first second.”
“I Will Not Go Back” to Coaching
Jurgen Klopp`s announcement in January 2024 that he would leave Liverpool after nearly a decade came as a shock. The Reds were still performing well, winning the EFL Cup, reaching quarter-finals in the FA Cup and Europa League, and finishing third in the Premier League. Managers rarely step down at their peak, and Klopp was undeniably one of the sport`s elite.
However, his decision becomes understandable upon reflection. Describing his pre-match feelings, Klopp said, “I don`t miss sitting in the bus or coach on the way to the game and feeling closing [in] the chest. The pressure is massive, massive, massive… You just want to enjoy what you are doing.”
After more than two decades in one of sport`s most demanding jobs, starting with Mainz in 2001, Klopp admitted the role had finally taken its toll. He explained, “My bottle or glass, whatever, was really full,” indicating he was at his absolute limit when he decided to leave Liverpool. “Anyway, I loved everything about it until I couldn`t do it anymore so that`s it.”
His body`s reaction after leaving Liverpool was profound. He recounted falling severely ill for two weeks during the Euros, unable to lift his head due to fever, despite it being summer. “I hated myself so much. I was so desperate for life,” he recalled, realizing his body desperately needed that rest after years of constant pressure.
With three league titles in two countries, a UEFA Champions League title, and over 500 career wins, Klopp has nothing left to prove. A year away from the touchline has only strengthened his resolve. He humorously calls himself “an old man” at 58 but notes older coaches still work. While he won`t say “1,000%” he`ll never coach again, especially considering figures like Carlo Ancelotti, he currently misses nothing. “I enjoy what I`m doing. I don`t want to stop working at all… I just wanted, needed something else.”
That “something else” is his role at Red Bull, which offers him the ideal blend of engagement and a work-life balance – a rare luxury for a professional coach.
He highlights the newfound freedom, stating, “We go on holiday when we want and not when we are allowed to.” With colleagues like Mario Gomez, they can ensure continuity, allowing for a healthy work-life integration that was previously impossible.
National team coaching roles are often seen as a compromise for experienced club managers, with several prominent figures like Mauricio Pochettino (USMNT), Thomas Tuchel (England), Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), and Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) taking such positions without prior international experience. Klopp himself was linked to the USMNT and England roles but declined, opting for a break before joining Red Bull.
Despite this trend, Klopp still doesn`t understand the appeal of a national team role, nor does he consider it less demanding. He emphasized, “I need to be on top of my game. If I`m not that, I`m not good. If I`m not good, why should I do it? It makes no sense.”
He also dismissed any ambition for the Germany job, expressing strong support for Julian Nagelsmann and hoping for his continued success.
Coaching “In a Different Way”
His illness solidified two conclusions: he genuinely missed nothing about coaching, but he still needed something productive to fill his time.
He quickly realized his time off was merely a long holiday, not a sustainable future. While he adores his grandkids, he found 24/7 care overwhelming: “It`s wonderful but not 24/7.”
Unveiled in October and starting in January, his role as Red Bull`s Head of Global Soccer is “like being a fan with having more say.” He`s tasked with establishing a unified tactical vision across Red Bull`s eight global clubs – a unique oversight position. Mario Gomez, Red Bull Soccer`s technical director, hailed him as a “true mastermind of the game.”
Gomez added, “Here, he has the chance to shape something new, to drive development forward in a decisive way, and to leave his mark.” He noted Klopp`s perfect fit with Red Bull`s philosophy, continually developing teams and learning daily, inspiring others with his mindset.
Klopp believes his style naturally aligns with Red Bull`s philosophy, which emphasizes “perfectly organized against the ball, these kinds of things, high-intensity.” He explained that his managerial career, prior to Liverpool`s later years, mirrored the Red Bull model: developing players who would then be bought by larger clubs, forcing him to constantly innovate and create a specific philosophy.
Klopp describes a two-pronged philosophy: a general aim to be a “talent pool” for football by developing young players, and a playing philosophy centered on stability to foster their growth. He remains unfazed by criticisms of multi-club ownership models, stating, “It`s like swapping players from A to B. It doesn`t happen. It doesn`t really happen. It`s difficult right now and it`s not really what we do here.”
The playing philosophy focuses on creating a stable foundation through strong defensive organization. This stability, he explains, empowers young players to “be brave and now nothing can happen because as long as we do all these kinds of things, you can be the bravest team on the planet… You can really go crazy – nutmeg, backheel, whatever. Do. Be free. Show your talent.”
Klopp describes his role as introducing ideas rather than dictating methods, seeing himself as a “mentor and sparring partner.” Gomez praises Klopp`s unwavering focus, commitment, and deep empathy, noting his ability to connect with people, be direct yet respectful, and infuse every meeting with positive energy.
Emphasizing patience, Klopp insists that changes won`t “happen overnight” but has already implemented key ideas, such as all Red Bull teams adopting a back-four system (4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, or 4-4-2) this season. He explains this strategic choice is based on the prevalence of wingers in top-level football, underscoring the need for players in specific areas to defend and support attacking play. He pointed to his Liverpool wingers, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, as examples of world-class players who still had to put in defensive work.
At Red Bull, the style of play significantly influences managerial decisions, more so than at typical clubs. Klopp aims to avoid the common scenario of hiring managers under pressure solely due to results. Instead, Red Bull actively scouts coaches globally, seeking those who align with their philosophy, rather than simply picking from available options when a dismissal is forced.
A major difference from his previous roles is having a direct say in managerial hires and departures, a departure from 25 years of “doing what somebody else said.” He still watches the same amount of soccer, but now focusing on Red Bull teams. His staff, including former assistants Zsolt Low and Peter Krawietz, collect information to support managers if needed.
In essence, his Red Bull position effectively satisfies his desire to manage. “I`m not coaching but pretty much I do, in a different way,” he concludes, indicating his continued involvement in the strategic aspects of the game.
