Jurgen Klopp is keeping busy as the Red Bull Head of Global Soccer, but he has found time to make fun of his former rivals.
Jurgen Klopp’s career in football has headed in a different direction since he departed Liverpool last year. He agreed to become Red Bull’s head of soccer, in a role where he is responsible for RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, two Brazilian clubs and another from the Japanese third tier.
The former manager is able to oversee some highly talented players, but the best of the bunch usually go on to bigger things after leaving the Red Bull clubs. Klopp is not unfamiliar with having to deal with the departure of his best players. Most notably, Liverpool sold Phillipe Coutinho to Barcelona for £142m when he was in charge.
Klopp acknowledged that players would move on from the Red Bull teams and even managed to aim a sly dig at Manchester United in the process.
He told The Athletic: “We are not the final destination,” he says. “We are not Liverpool… or in former times Man United!” Another loud laugh. “You can write that if you want.”
Like many Liverpool supporters, Klopp is clearly enjoying the downfall of his former rivals. While his team rose to success, Manchester United suffered a real decline over the years. This has continued since he left Liverpool, as Ruben Amorim’s team finished 15th in the Premier League last season and were defeated in the Europa League final by Tottenham Hotspur.
Klopp’s record against United during his Liverpool tenure adds another layer to his confident quip. The German tactician recorded seven victories over the Red Devils, including a spectacular 5-0 away win in October 2021 and an unforgettable 7-0 rout at Anfield in March 2023. By contrast, he suffered only five defeats against them, giving him a clear edge in the rivalry.
This season, Manchester United have already dropped half of their Premier League matches, while Liverpool continue to mount a serious title challenge, sitting just a point behind leaders Arsenal despite recent setbacks against Crystal Palace and Chelsea. Klopp’s timing, it seems, couldn’t be better for taking a subtle dig at the former giants of English football.
Beyond the jokes and rivalries, Klopp’s new role also demonstrates his footballing intelligence and vision. Overseeing clubs across Europe, South America, and even Asia, he is able to spot and develop talent in diverse footballing environments. It’s no surprise, then, that top prospects such as Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz have chosen Liverpool when given the option a testament to Klopp’s enduring influence and the pull of the club he once guided to glory.
In the end, Klopp’s Red Bull adventure combines the thrill of talent development with the satisfaction of seeing former rivals falter. While he no longer faces Manchester United week in, week out, he can still enjoy a subtle sense of triumph from afar and, judging by his comments, he has no plans to hide his enjoyment anytime soon.
