Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled out ever coaching any Red Bull football team.
The 57-year-old became Red Bull’s head of global soccer earlier this year and was introduced at a press conference at the Red Bull headquarters in Salzburg on Tuesday. Klopp was asked whether he could see himself stepping in to fill a future coaching void, if asked.
“I will not be the coach of an RB team, he said. “That’s a clear commitment. As much as I can give a guarantee, I will not be a coach again.”
Before the recent winter break, two Red Bull coaches came under pressure: Marco Rose at RB Leipzig and Pep Lijnders, his former Liverpool assistant, at RB Salzburg.
Rose’s team recovered their form and his position is no longer in jeopardy. Lijnders, however, was sacked before the season resumed. In each case, Klopp was presented by the media as a possible successor, even on an interim basis, but the German has now dispelled any speculation.
“I will not be the replacement for any Red Bull coach,” he said. “I hope we can create a structure where these kind of questions do not come up at all.”
During the 90-minute event on Tuesday, Klopp also revealed that he has swapped text messages with Arne Slot, who succeeded him at Liverpool, and with some of his former players. He was also full of praise for Slot’s work since taking charge.
“I’m so happy they are doing so well,” he said. “I’m in contact with some people — with Arne I’m texting and with some of the players. I wish them all the best and watch as many games as I can. Even if you don’t support Liverpool, you should watch right now. It’s top, top, top football.”
(Kerstin Joensson/Getty Images)
