Jürgen Klopp faces challenges before even starting at Red Bull

In October 2023, Jürgen Klopp was announced as the new head of global soccer for Red Bull, with his official start date set for January 1, 2024. Prior to his start, the Red Bull soccer operations have faced significant challenges, particularly with their flagship club, RB Leipzig, which has struggled both in the Champions League and the Bundesliga. Leipzig's performance has been disappointing, losing every game in the Champions League and not securing a victory in the league since October. Although they managed to win a cup match against Eintracht Frankfurt, the team’s overall morale seemed to be on shaky ground. Simultaneously, FC Salzburg, the original Red Bull club, has also been underperforming, currently sitting at fifth in the Austrian league and having lost four of five of their Champions League fixtures. The underwhelming results from both clubs have put considerable pressure on their respective coaches. In Leipzig, coach Marco Rose has faced scrutiny despite having previously seemed to fit well with the team, as he has background ties to the city and prior success at Salzburg. Klopp has indicated that he sees himself primarily as an adviser to coaches rather than a direct decision-maker. This perspective may soon be tested if Leipzig and Salzburg do not demonstrate significant improvements. The coaching situation at Salzburg is particularly close to Klopp, as Pep Lijnders, his former assistant at Liverpool, took up a coaching role there a few months prior. As the countdown continues to Klopp taking charge, the uncertainty surrounding the coaching positions and overall performance of both clubs may prompt swift changes within the organization. The Red Bull soccer empire has a history of backroom leadership stepping into coaching roles when necessary, suggesting that, despite his initial reluctance to return to coaching, Klopp may find himself in that position again if results do not improve quickly.