-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
Jurgen Klopp has discussed the reasons why he left Liverpool and decided to join Red Bull Football Group.
The ex-Reds boss, who departed the club at the end of last season after nine years in charge, has taken up a new role at Red Bull as its Head of Global Soccer. It will mean working across Red Bull’s network of clubs and trying to implement a general structure and philosophy while sitting behind a desk.
Klopp began his role on 1 January and was seen publicly for the first time over the weekend as he attended Paris FC’s game against Amiens, with Red Bull owning a partial stake in the former. But Tuesday’s Q&A session was the first time he has answered questions about his new job, and even was about the criticism of him joining Red Bull.
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Asked why he has swapped the touchline for the boardroom, Klopp explained: “I always said I loved what I do but the moment when I felt I couldn’t do the job anymore that was it. It was the same at Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool. I am brutally honest with myself.
“It was not only energy. After more than 1,000 games on the sideline, thousands of press conferences I didn’t want to do it anymore. I didn’t want to stop working either, I just wanted to do something different and a new start, and this opportunity gives that.
“I heard things but I didn’t have any plans in this direction. I was focused on being a manager. I wanted to be the best version of myself in that role. When you are in the job I was in for so long, it is super intense.
“Game after game, you keep a specific level and I wasn’t completely happy with that. I wanted to learn new things and when I heard about this role, I knew I would do that.”
Klopp left Liverpool in May after one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. The 57-year-old won every major during his time on Merseyside, including Liverpool’s first top-flight title in 31 years.