The New York morning sun cast long shadows as Jurgen Klopp, the former orchestrator of Liverpool’s symphony of success, woke at 5:30 AM. Not to strategize against a looming opponent, but to follow Japanese second-division football – a delightful contrast to his previous life. A stroll down Fifth Avenue, a leisurely circuit through Central Park, and even a scout for gummy bears at a stadium before a local derby — this was his Saturday. And within these simple pleasures, a profound realization solidified: “Yes! Perfect decision.”
The cheerful admission, shared during an exclusive interview, underscored a year of deliberate disengagement from the intense pressure cooker of top-tier club management. Klopp, who famously steered Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League glory, now finds himself in a role where weekends are his own, free from the “1,000% responsibility” that once defined his existence. He is content, unequivocally stating: “I don’t miss anything. I didn’t miss [it] from the first second.”
The Weight of the Whistle: A Decades-Long Burden
Klopp’s January 2024 announcement of his departure from Anfield sent ripples of surprise across the football world. Managers, particularly those still at the peak of their powers, rarely walk away from such a revered position. Yet, as he recounted the physical and emotional toll, his decision becomes starkly clear. He described the suffocating sensation of pre-match pressure, a feeling of his chest “closing in,” even as his rational mind insisted, “I know it’s only football.” His body, however, had a different understanding.
Over two decades of relentless management, from Mainz to Dortmund to Liverpool, had filled his metaphorical “bottle or glass” to the brim. The smallest drop, he explained, would have triggered an explosion. “I loved everything about it until I couldn’t do it anymore,” he conceded. The exhaustion wasn`t merely mental; weeks after leaving Liverpool, just as the Euros began, Klopp succumbed to an illness so severe he “couldn’t lift [his] head.” It was his body`s way of demanding the rest he had denied it for so long.
A Sabbatical, Not a Retreat: Redefining Football Engagement
Despite the profound relief and recovery, Klopp quickly realized that complete inaction wasn`t his long-term future. “That is just the longest holiday in my life and not the future,” he reflected, playfully dismissing the idea of 24/7 grandparenting. He needed a different kind of engagement, one that scratched his tactical itch without consuming his entire being. This quest led him to Red Bull, where he now serves as the Head of Global Soccer – a role he embraced in January after an October unveiling.
This isn`t retirement, nor is it a placeholder for an eventual return to the touchline. Klopp, at 58, firmly stated, “I will not go back.” His current position offers a unique blend: “like being a fan with having more say.” Mario Gomez, Red Bull Soccer`s technical director, hailed Klopp as a “true mastermind,” emphasizing his ability to “shape something new” and “drive development forward.” The move, Klopp insists, is a perfect fit for his philosophy and a testament to his enduring passion for the beautiful game, albeit from a fresh vantage point.
Crafting a Global Vision: Giving Wings to Talent
At Red Bull, Klopp`s responsibilities are expansive, involving the mapping out and instilling of a unified tactical vision across the company`s diverse network of clubs. This oversight role, a first of its kind for Red Bull, resonates deeply with his long-held principles. He described his life`s work as mirroring the “Red Bull philosophy: perfectly organized against the ball, high-intensity.” It’s about developing young talent, a concept he articulated as “giving wings to people.”
He acknowledges the skepticism surrounding multi-club ownership (MCOs), often perceived as mere player-swapping mechanisms. With a touch of characteristic bluntness, Klopp dismisses this notion: “It doesn’t really happen. It’s difficult right now and it’s not really what we do here.” Instead, he focuses on a two-fold philosophy: a talent pool for football, underpinned by a playing style built on stability. This stability, he argues, provides the secure environment young players need to “fly and now jump and now be brave.” Mistakes are part of the process, permissible as long as the fundamental defensive structure holds, allowing creative freedom in advanced areas: “nutmeg, backheel, whatever. Do. Be free. Show your talent.”
The Tactical Architect`s Blueprint: From Back Fours to Future Coaches
Klopp`s influence is already tangible. He proudly revealed his initiative for all Red Bull teams to adopt a consistent back-four system this season, moving away from varied formations, including the back-five some clubs previously employed. This standardization, he explained, aligns with modern football`s top teams, emphasizing the crucial role of wingers and collective defensive effort. “My two wingers were – most of the time at Liverpool – Sadio [Mane] and Mo [Salah]. World stars still had to run their socks off so for that, everybody else supported them,” he reminisced, illustrating the core idea.
Beyond tactics, Klopp`s role extends to managerial hires and departures, a significant departure from his previous life where he “did what somebody else said over the last 25 years.” He seeks to employ managers for the “right reasons,” not just reactive responses to poor results, and actively scouts future coaches globally. His team, including former assistants Zsolt Low and Peter Krawietz, diligently watches every Red Bull game, not as “judges” but as a resource for information and development.
The Un-Coachable Coach: A Different Kind of Impact
While the allure of national team coaching has recently drawn many respected club managers, Klopp remains unfazed. He confessed to never having truly considered such a role, seeing it as equally intense and demanding a commitment he currently isn`t willing to give. His fervent support for Julian Nagelsmann, Germany`s current coach, underscores his detachment. “I hope Germany will become world champions and he signs another few years,” he declared, with a hint of good-natured rivalry.
Jurgen Klopp may no longer patrol the touchline, a furious bundle of energy and emotion, but his impact on football endures. His role at Red Bull is not a retirement from the game, but a strategic evolution. He manages, he inspires, he strategizes – just “in a different way.” He has found a new equilibrium, a life where he can still shape the beautiful game, nurture talent, and perhaps, occasionally, enjoy those gummy bears without the crushing weight of a Saturday defeat. The roar of the crowd has been replaced by the quiet satisfaction of a well-made decision, and in this new chapter, Klopp truly loves life.
Gareth Fenton