Nagelsmann reacts to Klopp's Red Bull job: “I can't imagine there's a clause in his contract”

Julian Nagelsmann has reacted to Jürgen Klopp’s new job at Red Bull, expressing doubt over reports that the 57-year-old’s contract includes a clause that would allow him to leave the club to become Germany coach.

It came as a shock to the football world when it was announced earlier this week that former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp had accepted a job as Red Bull’s new Global Head of Soccer.

Klopp has faced a lot of criticism for accepting the job, as Red Bull are generally very unpopular with German fans due to the commercial structure they’ve implemented at RB Leipzig.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who previously coached RB Leipzig, wasn’t as critical of the job on Thursday, congratulating both his former boss, current Red Bull CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments Oliver Mintzlaff, and Jürgen Klopp on their collaboration.

“I congratulate Oliver Mintzlaff on an outstanding coup. I also congratulate Jürgen Klopp on an excellent and interesting job. Two years ago, Jürgen said that RB was a football project. Jürgen has worked in English football for a long time and it’s normal there to have an owner of a club. He knows that there is someone behind it who is financing things,” said Nagelsmann.

“It is a super interesting job that Jürgen will do very well with his style. It’s a win-win situation for both parties. I was happy that Oli [Mintzlaff] informed me relatively early. I think it’s very good for both parties.”

The deal is reported to include a release clause that would allow Klopp to leave to become Germany coach should he wish to do so in the future – for example, after the 2026 World Cup, when Nagelsmann’s current contract expires.

However, Nagelsmann doubts that Mintzlaff would agree to such a clause.

“I know Oli very well, I can’t imagine that the clause is in the contract – but I’ll ask,” he said with a wink.