After claims Jurgen Klopp‘s position at Red Bull was not entirely safe, the group’s managing director Olivier Mintzlaff has dismissed this as “complete nonsense.”
Reports from the Salzburger Nachrichten on Thursday morning claimed Red Bull were not satisfied with the progress made since Klopp’s appointment as Head of Global Soccer.
There were suggestions of frustration over his commercial activities, as he is heavily involved in media work and rang the bell for the final lap of the men’s biathlon relay in this month’s Winter Olympics in Italy.
It was further claimed that Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner had been lined up as a possible successor if the former Liverpool boss were to depart.
Red Bull chief: Klopp rumours “entirely made up”
Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool walks his "Guard of Honour" at the end the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on May 19, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
But asked about the rumours around Klopp’s future, Mintzlaff told Sky Germany: “That is complete nonsense and entirely made up.
“On the contrary, we are extremely satisfied with the work Jurgen Klopp is doing.
“He invests a great deal of time and effort, is in constant communication with our coaches and sporting directors, and continues to develop our Red Bull football philosophy in a sustainable way.
“We are convinced that he is the right man for this job. That is where we are putting all our focus and energy.”
Red Bull are clearly heavily invested in Klopp, who works closely with technical director Mario Gomez, and he remains under contract to 2029.
Will Jurgen Klopp return to management?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 18, 2024: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Klopp is continually linked with a return to management, which was not helped by the interview his agent Marc Kosicke gave to Transfermarkt earlier this month.
Kosicke revealed that there had been opportunities to manage the England or USA national teams, while enquiries from Chelsea and Man United were dismissed out of hand.
But he admitted the 58-year-old “couldn’t always say no” to taking over as Germany boss.
“Jurgen feels very connected to this country,” Kosicke, who has represented Klopp throughout his career and is considered one of his closest friends, said.
“The question doesn’t even arise at the moment. I don’t think he feels he has to do it at least once.
“Rather, he feels a sense of obligation, that he couldn’t always say no to the job.”
Klopp took the role of Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull on January 1, 2025 and so far under his leadership none of their stable of clubs has lifted silverware – that is however not a marker of his own work.
The German will return to the dugout at Anfield next month as assistant to Sir Kenny Dalglish when Liverpool Legends face Dortmund on Saturday, March 28.
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