Jurgen Klopp’s brief spell as Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer came to an end this month after he accepted the opportunity to become Germany’s new head coach.
The former Liverpool manager left the executive role less than two years after taking up the position, with the German Football Association confirming his appointment on a four-year contract through to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
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Klopp’s departure marked the end of a chapter that saw him oversee the sporting direction of Red Bull’s expanding football network following his exit from Liverpool in 2024.
His move back into coaching came after Germany’s early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the resignation of Julian Nagelsmann, with Klopp describing the national team role as a unique opportunity to unite the country through football.
With Klopp now focused on international football, attention quickly turned to how Red Bull would reshape its football leadership. The company has now moved swiftly to identify the man expected to oversee its sporting operations across its global portfolio.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Roger Schmidt is set to become Red Bull’s new Global Head of Soccer, replacing Klopp in the senior executive role.
Romano also reported that Florian Scholz will become Global Head of Commercial, completing a new leadership structure for Red Bull’s football division.
The appointments are expected to divide responsibility between the sporting and commercial sides of Red Bull’s multi-club operation, with Schmidt overseeing football matters and Scholz leading the commercial department.
Schmidt is no stranger to the Red Bull system. The 58-year-old managed Red Bull Salzburg between 2012 and 2014 before going on to coach Bayer Leverkusen, Beijing Guoan, PSV Eindhoven and Benfica. He most recently served as the J.League’s Global Football Advisor after leaving Benfica in 2024.
During his first season at Benfica, Schmidt guided the Portuguese club to the Primeira Liga title in 2022-23 and also led them to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. His teams have long been associated with an aggressive pressing style, a philosophy that closely aligns with Red Bull’s football identity.
Reports in Germany indicate Schmidt is due to begin the role on October 1. He is expected to oversee the sporting direction of Red Bull’s football clubs, including RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg, Red Bull Bragantino and Omiya Ardija, while also working with the group’s minority investments in Leeds United and Paris FC.
🚨🔴⚪️ EXCL: Roger Schmidt, set to be appointed as new Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull Group to replace Jürgen Klopp.
Florian Scholz will be Global Head of Commercial. pic.twitter.com/v5Q1UUx4qh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 31, 2026