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<p>Interview</p>
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<img alt="Jürgen Klopp" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/jurgen-klopp-red-bull-iv-spotlight-1768721149-187449.jpg" title="Jürgen Klopp">
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Jürgen Klopp appeared relaxed and cheerful when he met with a select group of media at the newly opened RB Leipzig headquarters, just before the Bundesliga Topspiel against Bayern Munich (result: 1-5). It has been a year since Klopp took on the role of Global Sports Director for Red Bull Soccer. In this position, the former managers of Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool oversees the strategic direction of clubs like RB Leipzig, Red Bull Bragantino, New York Red Bulls, and RB Omiya Ardija. He is also involved with Ligue 1 side Paris FC, where Red Bull is a minority stakeholder. This is a notable portfolio for the 58-year-old from Stuttgart to manage.
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Klopp's influence at RB Leipzig, the flagship club in this network, has already proven substantial. “During the transfer window, our conversations aren’t daily, but nearly every other day,” noted RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer. He highlighted how beneficial it is to have Klopp join video calls whenever they are trying to persuade a new player to join the club. “He has a knack for connecting with people,” Schäfer added. Furthermore, Klopp played a role in Leipzig’s coaching search that culminated in the hiring of Ole Werner. “You won’t find three people with a better body of knowledge regarding coaching staff and squad planning than Klopp,” Schäfer remarked.
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It’s logical for Schäfer to engage Klopp in daily transfer discussions. In previous encounters against teams like Bayern Munich and Manchester City, Klopp has faced clubs with considerable financial advantages. According to Transfermarkt, he ranks eighth in transfer spending among all coaches since moving from Mainz to Dortmund in 2008. Over the course of his career from 2008 to his departure from Liverpool in 2024, Klopp spent €1.13 billion on players. For context, Pep Guardiola’s total expenditure at Manchester City during the same timeframe was €2.06 billion.
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<img alt="Transfer Spending 2008-2024" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/most-money-spent-since-2008-1768722115-187450.png?lm=1768722126" title="Transfer Spending between 2008 and 2024" width="503">
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<h2>Klopp: Striving for Independence from "Individual Player Quality"</h2>
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Responding to these statistics, Klopp stated, “In certain game situations, we’ve been bolder. Our philosophy has always been to focus on winning games rather than avoiding defeat. I aimed to create a system less reliant on individual talent. In my playing days during the 1990s, the team with the superior players invariably came out on top. My approach was to organize teams that could perform independent of their overall player quality. In Germany, the conversation around investment in players was less pronounced; everyone accepted that Bayern outspent everyone. This topic only gained traction in England, yet we never attributed our successes or failures to financial constraints, which would often frustrate some pundits when I expressed that view.”
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At Red Bull, Klopp aims for his teams to similarly reduce dependence on individual talent. He gathered academy directors, sporting directors, and scouts from the global Red Bull network in Munich six months ago, where he articulated the desired playing style and philosophical vision. “He aligned everyone on the same page,” said David Wagner, head of RB Leipzig's academy. “This clarity ensures that scouts understand which types of players we need and that sporting directors are aware of our formations. We now have two to three transfer windows to reshape the squad.” The tactical shift is transitioning from a 4-2-2-2 to a 4-3-3 setup, emphasizing a traditional number 9 supported by wingers. RB Leipzig exemplified this with the signing of a classic center-forward, Rômulo, complemented by wingers like Yan Diomande and Johan Bakayoko.
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While the transition isn’t flawless, Leipzig serves as a strong example of this new approach. Under the guidance of Ole Werner, who was selected by Klopp, the team employs a classic 4-3-3 formation characterized by wide play and aggressive counter-pressing. However, Klopp emphasizes that the system doesn't need to be rigidly applied. “It depends on the circumstances,” he remarked. For instance, Paris FC achieved a 1-0 victory over PSG utilizing a back five. “The performance may not have been pretty, but the result is what counts,” Klopp noted. “I didn't anticipate dominating possession against PSG, and winning in any form is acceptable. It’s perfectly acceptable to adapt strategies based on the situation. The overarching goal must be to minimize dependence on individual quality, as there are limited chances of having the best players in the coming years.”
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<p>Club Comparison</p>
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<p>€107.25m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€1.19bn</p>
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<p>First Tier</p>
<p>League Level</p>
<p>First Tier</p>
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<p>€57.30m</p>
<p>Expenditures 25/26</p>
<p>€103.00m</p>
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<p>Stéphane Gilli</p>
<p>Managers</p>
<p>Luis Enrique</p>
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<p><span>Full Club Comparison</span></p>
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<h2>Klopp: Bayern and Man City "Retain Their Best Players"</h2>
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This emphasis on overall quality has been a hallmark of Klopp’s success in Mainz, Dortmund, and Liverpool. His teams have never featured the most talent yet have consistently outperformed expectations due to their tactical framework. Now, he seeks to instill this philosophy at Leipzig and across other Red Bull clubs. “If Leipzig secures the Bundesliga title, prepare for us to sell four or five of our top players,” Klopp suggested. “The subsequent year, we must source five new players of similar caliber. Bayern and Man City don’t face this challenge, as they keep their elite players or acquire even better ones.” According to Klopp, Red Bull clubs must find distinctive strategies to fill gaps due to limited resources. “Our scouting must be outstanding, and the organization on the pitch must be stable and reach its potential as closely as possible.”
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How does one describe Klopp’s role at Red Bull? He functions as a mentor to coaching staff and technical directors at Leipzig. “I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but I'm well-versed in coaching football,” Klopp stated when defining his role within the Red Bull structure. “While I’m not a genius, I have a solid grasp of the sport. Red Bull provided me with this opportunity, and we can refine the specifics together as we go.” Schäfer and Wagner affirmed this assessment, indicating they frequently turn to Klopp for guidance.
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Klopp regards his advisory role as the best description of his position. “During my coaching career, I often wished for someone to consult during tough decisions,” he reflected. “My goal is to be the person I needed back then, the one who could provide guidance. I spent a considerable amount of time alone in my office.” It’s evident that Klopp wants to ensure decision-makers within the Red Bull football framework don’t experience that sense of isolation, striving to be an approachable resource for them.
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<h2>Klopp on Real Madrid Interest: "It’s All Media-Driven"</h2>
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Given the intricacies of this role, does he ever contemplate a return to coaching? “When we built our house, my wife desired space for a trophy room, and I assured her it wouldn’t be necessary as there wouldn’t be more trophies,” Klopp shared. “While I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility entirely, I’m 63 and very content in my current role.” Does he have any interest in the Real Madrid position? “I don’t get excited when I hear about Real Madrid’s interest in me; it’s mostly media speculation. I’m consistent and don’t change my mind spontaneously. My current role intrigues me and comes without the pressure typically associated with coaching.”
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Was he surprised by Xabi Alonso’s dismissal from Real Madrid? “I was surprised and yet not surprised,” Klopp responded. “It’s Real Madrid; Jupp Heynckes was let go despite winning the Champions League there. I don’t know what that reflects about the club.” In essence, the Real Madrid job doesn’t seem to draw Klopp back into coaching. Could anything entice him? “Never say never, but as I mentioned, I’m thoroughly enjoying my present situation,” he concluded, accompanied by one of his characteristic smiles.
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