Jurgen Klopp has been spotted at the Austrian Grand Prix after the former Liverpool boss was touted for a new job in Formula One.
Klopp was seen hanging out in the Red Bull paddock on Sunday, where he met up with team principal Christian Horner and was given an up-close view of the inner workings of the Racing Bulls team by CEO Peter Bayer.
The former Reds boss, of course, is now a Red Bull employee, having become Head of Global Soccer for the energy drink company back in January after bringing his time as manager at Anfield to an end last summer.
Upon taking up his new role at Red Bull — in which he oversees matters at the company’s various clubs, including RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg — it was suggested that Klopp could also have some involvement in F1.
Red Bull’s long-serving racing advisor Helmut Marko hailed Klopp’s appointment, and talked up the possibility of him linking up with the company’s other ventures.
“I don’t know how he wants to combine everything, these different continents and things like that,” Marko said back in December.
“But because football is very important to us, I think it was the best move we could have made.”
Jurgen Klopp with Christian Horner, team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing
Jurgen Klopp with Christian Horner, team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing (Image: Getty Images)
Marko would go on to say that he “would love” to tap into Klopp’s knowledge, adding: “He is an extraordinary coach and also a motivator.”
Klopp himself would also discuss a potential link-up with Red Bull’s racing team, with the former Liverpool boss eager to meet up with four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
“There are so many things to talk about!” Klopp told Red Bull’s website.
“Not just how focused he is, but all kinds of things. It’s really crazy.
“I would love to spend time with him to understand how he can do that under the threat of 200 miles an hour in a car and still be at his absolute best mindset. Super interesting.”
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And the feeling was very much mutual, with Verstappen hailing Klopp’s appointment to Red Bull.
“I knew already for quite a long time that they were talking and it was close to being signed,” Verstappen said in October.
“I think it is great. Red Bull is investing a lot also in football with the teams they have and there is a lot of talent that has come through already.
“With someone like Jurgen in charge from the top, he has a lot of experience, and he has managed a lot of great clubs. It is great for the whole organization.”