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

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly agreed to his shock move to join Red Bull in a meeting 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 will require 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’ll be required 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 after nine years at the end of last season. 

The 57-year-old is claimed to have agreed the deal while 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 reported 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 reported to have convinced Klopp to become Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer, with a deal claimed to have been agreed for him to take the position at the start of 2025.

Klopp officially announced he would step down as Liverpool boss in January this year, 15 months after the German is said to have agreed the deal with the energy drinks giant.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s chief motorsport advisor, added to suggestions 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 had been targeted by the US national team earlier this year – before Mauricio Pochettino was appointed boss – but the 57-year-old reportedly knew already he would have to decline any approach.

When speaking two years ago Klopp stated that Red Bull had a ‘really interesting project’

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

Klopp, who has reportedly signed a long-term deal with Red Bull, had previously spoken with admiration about Red Bull’s football project after a friendly with RB Salzburg in 2022.

‘What Red Bull is doing is a really interesting project, I have to say,’ Klopp said. ‘They kind of change every year, they sell players but still a good team.

‘It’s really interesting what they are doing. The football philosophy is not too far away from ours as well.’

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 told the Red Bull website: ‘After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not 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 that 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 that we can do this front using the elite knowledge and experience that Red Bull possesses to learning from other sports and other industries.

‘Together we can discover what is possible. I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately, I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more.’

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

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