Red Bull Chief Reveals Secret Jurgen Klopp Talks Two Years Before Liverpool Exit

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp began discussions with Red Bull over two years ago before agreeing to take on the role of Global Head of Soccer for the Austrian company, according to one of his predecessors, Oliver Mintzlaff.

Mintzlaff, who has held several roles within the Red Bull organization—including CEO of RB Leipzig during their Bundesliga promotion—currently serves as CEO of corporate projects and new investments for Red Bull. He was involved in the efforts to bring Klopp on board.

Klopp will begin his new position on January 1, following his announcement in January 2024 that the 2023-24 season would be his final one at Liverpool. After almost nine years at Anfield, Klopp had previously stated that he wouldn’t take on another managerial role for some time. However, his move to Red Bull was confirmed in October. Mintzlaff revealed that the pursuit of Klopp had been ongoing, with initial talks starting while Klopp was still managing Liverpool.

"It took a long time. It was a very, very long process," Mintzlaff is quoted as saying by BILD (via The Mail). "The first idea was more than two years ago, when I first spoke to Jurgen about it. He said: 'I think that's great, I think that's impressive.' Not just what's happening in football, but also the sports Red Bull is involved in, how much is being done for young talent.

"That always interested him and excited him. So we always kept in touch and I didn't let up. But at some point he told me that I was extending my stay in Liverpool and that was of course a disappointment for me because that little door was then closed.

"When he announced his departure, we met at his place in Liverpool a few months later and I started again with my topic and told him a lot of things, where I think we could use him and that it would be an exciting task for him. And then he said: 'All right, let's do it.' I had to slap myself in the face. Then he agreed and I quickly drew up the contracts.'"

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Mintzlaff described the negotiations as some of the easiest he’s ever had. While Klopp has faced criticism in Germany for taking the role, he defended his decision.

“I certainly didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes," Klopp said during an appearance on Toni and Felix Kroos' Einfach mal Luppen podcast. "I personally love all my former clubs. I’m not sure what else I could have done to make everyone happy."

He continued, “It was always clear to me that I wasn’t going to do nothing at all. That’s when the Red Bull opportunity came up. And honestly, for me, it’s outstanding.”