Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool in June 2024 ended a transformative era. Arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2015, he revived the club, leading them to the 2019 Champions League and their first Premier League title in 30 years in 2020. Over nine years, Klopp also secured the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, restoring pride and identity to a storied club.
Embracing a New Role at Red Bull
Rather than stepping into another dugout, the 58-year-old German made a surprising move in January 2025: he became the Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull.
In this strategic role, Klopp oversees football development across clubs such as RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, Bragantino, New York Red Bulls, and even Paris FC.
This shift has given him a new perspective:
“I don’t want to work as a coach anymore. That’s what I think — but you don’t know,” Klopp told The Athletic.
“I’m 58. If I start again at 65, everyone will say: ‘You said you would never do it again!’ Sorry — I thought 100 percent when I said it. I don’t miss anything.”
A Life Rediscovered
For Klopp, stepping away from the intensity of day-to-day management has opened doors to experiences he missed for decades.
He reflected:
“In almost 25 years, I went to a wedding twice — one of them was mine, the other two months ago. I went to the cinema only four times — all in the last eight weeks. As a coach I visited many countries, but I saw nothing but hotels, stadiums, and training grounds. I didn’t miss it then, but now I realize I did.”
The former Mainz and Dortmund boss now enjoys traveling, sports, and spending time with family — including his grandchildren — without the relentless demands of elite football.
Addressing Criticism Over Red Bull Role
Klopp’s choice to join Red Bull has drawn criticism in Germany, where the company’s involvement in football remains controversial due to the Bundesliga’s 50+1 ownership rule.
The former Liverpool manager responded calmly:
“I knew it would come. I’m German — I know what people think about Red Bull in football. They love the brand in all other areas, but in football, not so much. That’s fine. Everyone can think what they want. I do what I believe is right, as long as I don’t harm anyone.”
He also highlighted that Liverpool fans have largely welcomed his decision because he is not coaching a rival club.
Watching Football from Afar
Klopp admits he is far less attached to the weekly rhythm of football now:
“I watched some Liverpool games, but I wasn’t in ‘It’s Saturday!’ mode. I didn’t even know when games started. We enjoyed life, spent time outdoors, played sports — completely normal things.”
Although distant from coaching, he still keeps a watchful eye on the game, providing strategic advice for Red Bull clubs and occasionally attending training sessions — but often leaving early.
“I don’t have to see the last bit. I did it my whole life. I’m still in football, still learning every day, but I don’t miss the touchline.”
Comparing Himself to Guardiola
Klopp shared a light-hearted comparison with his former rival Pep Guardiola, reflecting on their years of duels in the Bundesliga and Premier League:
“I know how most managers live — all-in for the job. You can’t succeed otherwise. But Pep improved his golf handicap with age! I didn’t have a minute for golf. That’s why he’s a genius and I’m not.”
The remark reflects both admiration and humor — a reminder of how relentless Klopp’s own approach to coaching had been.
Thoughts on Liverpool’s New Era Under Arne Slot
Liverpool fans had braced themselves for a difficult transition after Klopp’s exit. Instead, Dutch manager Arne Slot delivered the Premier League title in his debut season and has kept the team competitive in 2025/26.
Klopp expressed happiness with Liverpool’s progress but also offered a gentle warning:
“Liverpool play a very offensive style — really good. But do they take the risk of being exposed sometimes? That’s for the manager to decide. I’m not the pope of football — at least not outside the Red Bull world.”
His words came after Liverpool’s dramatic start to the new season — a string of late winners before suffering a 97th-minute defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield, courtesy of Eddie Nketiah.
Future Plans: Coaching Return Unlikely
Speculation has linked Klopp with various coaching jobs, including Real Madrid and Saudi side Al-Ittihad.
Yet his repeated stance suggests a return is unlikely anytime soon:
“I know I will work again, but not as a coach. I have the choice now — I can take vacations, and it’s me who decides when. Well, Ulla (my wife) decides when,” he joked.
His current focus is on using his experience to guide Red Bull’s football ecosystem rather than returning to the grind of daily training sessions and tactical planning.
Legacy at Anfield
Klopp’s legacy at Liverpool is secure. He turned a club with historic pedigree but dwindling modern success into a powerhouse again, rekindling a connection with the fans and shaping a style of play that re-established Liverpool among Europe’s elite.
As Arne Slot continues to build on that foundation, Klopp can watch with pride from a distance. The German’s transformative impact on the club — both culturally and competitively — ensures his name will be celebrated at Anfield for generations.
A New Balance Between Football and Life
Perhaps the most striking takeaway from Klopp’s journey is his newfound sense of balance.
After decades consumed by the demands of elite football, he now savors ordinary joys: cinema trips, weddings, vacations, and time with loved ones — things most people take for granted.
In doing so, he has also shown that stepping back does not diminish one’s influence. Klopp’s voice and vision still resonate in football, albeit from a different seat — one that allows him to enjoy the game he loves without being chained to its most demanding role.