Jurgen Klopp proves true to his word with new job after comments he made in summer

It's been confirmed that Jurgen Klopp will resume his journey in football at the beginning of next year, with the German accepting a role as Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer.

After the 57-year-old left Liverpool at the end of last season, many had been wondering where he might crop up next. Gareth Southgate's exit as England manager prompted brief links with the Three Lions job, while Edin Terzic's departure from Borussia Dortmund in June provided an opening for Klopp to perhaps make a grand return to the club he made his name at.

While Klopp was recently back on the touchline at the Westfalenstadion, it was very much in a temporary capacity, as he returned to Dortmund for Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski's testimonial.

• Jurgen Klopp's new job confirmed as Liverpool legend agrees to take up role with Red Bull
• Jurgen Klopp breaks silence on his return as Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer

Looking at Klopp's comments over the summer, his return in a non-managerial capacity makes total sense. Speaking in July, Klopp said that his days as a head coach may well be behind him, and accepting an advisory role with Red Bull tallies with those comments.

"As of today, that’s it for me as a coach," Klopp said. "I didn’t quit on a whim, but it was a general decision. I’ve also coached the best clubs in the world. Maybe we can talk about it again in a few months. I still want to work in football and help people with my experience and contacts. Let’s see what else there is for me.”

When asked if there were any jobs in the pipeline at the time, he said: “At the moment, there is nothing at all in terms of jobs. No club, no country. A few people must not have heard this part. And it would be the biggest loss of face in the history of football if you said, ‘I’ll make an exception for you now’ [to England].

“I’m going to do some work. I’m too young to only do padel tennis and grandchildren. Will that be coach again? I would actually rule that out at the moment. Let’s see what it will look like in a few months. Nothing is coming through at the moment.”

Klopp has signed a long-term contract with Red Bull and will start his new job on January 1, 2025. Red Bull owns five football teams, with three high-profile ones in RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg, and in his new role, Klopp will advise them on all kinds of football matters, from coaching and playing philosophies to player development and recruitment.