Red Bull chief issues statement on Jurgen Klopp after bombshell contract claim
Red Bull CEO of projects and investments Oliver Mintzlaff has issued a response to reports that Jurgen Klopp could leave his role as Global Head of Soccer.
Klopp was announced as Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer in January 2025, having departed Liverpool in May 2024.
The German oversees and acts as an advisor to the Red Bull network, which is made up of Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls in the United States, Red Bull Bragantino in Brazil and Japan's RB Omiya Ardija.
On Thursday (February 26), Austrian outlet Salzburger Nachrichten reported that Klopp’s current role was under threat due to a “lack of sporting progress”.
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RB Leipzig are currently fifth in the German Bundesliga, while RB Salzburg are top of the Austrian Bundesliga.
The outlet also claimed that Red Bull would not prevent the German from returning to coaching amid links with the Real Madrid and the Germany job, which could theoretically lead to a termination of his contract.
Red Bull CEO of projects and investments, Mintzlaff, has since addressed the claims, describing them as “complete nonsense”.
In a statement to The Athletic, Mintzlaff said: “That’s complete nonsense and totally unfounded.
“On the contrary, we are extremely satisfied with Jurgen Klopp’s work.
“He invests a great deal, is in constant communication with our coaches and sporting directors, and is sustainably developing our Red Bull football philosophy. We are convinced that he is the right man for the job. That’s where we are focusing all our energy and attention.”
Klopp’s current role involves developing a common philosophy across all clubs controlled by Red Bull, while also assisting with scouting and developing the coaching staff.
In January, in a separate interview with The Athletic, the former Borussia Dortmund boss maintained that he knows he can still coach a football team, before adding that after leaving Liverpool, he “wanted to do something different”.
“Red Bull gave me an opportunity to find a role which we have been defining together, step by step,” Klopp explained.
“I’m in a place as a person where I’m completely at peace with where I am. I don’t want to be somewhere else.
“It’s been a good time. One year in, five years of experience gained.”
It remains unclear if Klopp will return to coaching.
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, RB Leipzig, Football, Bundesliga, Liverpool
Luke Davies