After leaving Liverpool in the summer of 2024, Jürgen Klopp said he needed a long break from football. He wanted peace, rest, and time away from the pressures of coaching. But just sixteen months later, he’s back in the game—although not on the touchline.
Klopp has accepted a new position with the German Football League (DFL). He’s joining an expert panel that will help improve German football, focusing on youth development, club structures, and long-term planning. This marks a major shift for Klopp, who said he didn’t want to return to coaching again.
This new role comes on top of his job as Global Head of Football for the Red Bull Group, which he took in January 2025. That position oversees clubs like RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, and the New York Red Bulls. Even though he stepped away from coaching, Klopp clearly hasn’t stepped away from football.
Fans reacted emotionally when the announcement came. Liverpool supporters shared messages and photos, remembering the manager who brought them success and inspired belief at Anfield. Now, at 58, Klopp is using his experience to support the future of German football.
The DFL says the panel will work on how young players are trained and integrated, as well as how clubs can strengthen their operations. Their recommendations will be presented in spring 2026 to all 36 clubs in Germany’s top two divisions.
Klopp will work with respected figures like Sami Khedira, Jochen Sauer of Bayern Munich, and Markus Krösche of Eintracht Frankfurt. For Klopp, this feels like a return to his roots. Before becoming a legend at Liverpool, he transformed Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, influencing the entire German football style.
Germany has recently struggled with issues like declining lower-league attendance and weaker youth development compared to other countries. Klopp’s presence brings credibility and new ideas.
In an interview with The Athletic, Klopp said he enjoys life without the stress of coaching. He watches games, spends time with family, and stays active—but he no longer wants the pressures of a manager’s role. Still, he wants to contribute to the sport he loves.
His work with Red Bull and the DFL shows his shift toward long-term planning, structure, and football development. At Red Bull, he helps unify the playing style, recruitment, and philosophy across their clubs. His new DFL role allows him to apply those ideas to German football as a whole.
Klopp has always been known for more than tactics. His ability to connect with people—players, fans, and staff—was a key part of his success. Now he hopes to use that influence to strengthen German football for the future.
Liverpool fans feel both proud and emotional. They’re happy he’s found a new path, but his absence still leaves a gap at Anfield. Yet Klopp seems at peace with his choice. He says he doesn’t miss coaching and has no plans to return.
Klopp’s journey—from Mainz to Dortmund to Liverpool—has always evolved. Now he’s entering a new chapter: building the foundations of the sport rather than leading a team on the pitch.
The DFL believes he is the perfect person to help guide German football forward. Klopp understands every level of the game and brings passion, experience, and vision.
His coaching days might be over, but his impact on football is far from finished. He’s stepped away from the spotlight, but not from the game. And his new roles may shape the future of German football for years to come
