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Klopp at Red Bulls trainingNew York Red Bulls
Siddhant Lazar

'Massively impressed' - Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp tips MLS for big growth after New York Red Bulls visit

Red Bull head of global soccer Jurgen Klopp offered a glowing endorsement of the future of MLS during a recent New York visit, predicting major growth for the league over the next five years. The former Liverpool manager made his remarks before attending Saturday’s Hudson River Derby between the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC.

  • Klopp at Red Bulls training IINew York Red Bulls

    Impressed by quality and intensity of MLS play

    Klopp attended the Red Bulls training at their facility in Morris Township, New Jersey and was immediately impressed by the level showcased by the club. 

    “I'm 100 percent sure, in five years time, we will speak completely differently,” Klopp said before the Hudson River derby match, which the Red Bulls lost 3-2. “I'm really sure it will grow and grow and grow.

    “The kids coming up, starting playing soccer earlier, training, getting better. Obviously, the place where you can play and train getting better. Everywhere. I can tell you, the quality is really, really good. I saw really, really good vibe in the whole building. First and second team together. Both training sessions were high, intense, full of joy. Everybody was positive about it."

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  • New York Red Bulls v New York City FCGetty Images Sport

    Youth development and infrastructure improvements fuel Klopp's optimism

     The German manager specifically highlighted how youngsters starting to play soccer earlier and receiving better training in improved facilities would drive the league's growth over the next five years.

    "Massively, massively impressed," Klopp explained. "This is outstanding. It's something you never really can dream of, because you cannot win when you win or whatever you do in football and soccer.

    "But then you think guys that possibly, this is fine. This is fine. This fine. This is a completely next level. It's really it's really cool. It's really well thought through. It's so many opportunities. It's easy to say we will not be successful in the future. This is not the reason."

  • Klopp's influence on NYRB

    Since joining Red Bull as Head of Global Soccer in 2024, Klopp has overseen multiple clubs under the organization's umbrella, including teams in New York, Salzburg, and Leipzig. While not directly managing any specific team, his football philosophy has influenced Red Bulls' tactical approach through head coach Sandro Schwarz, who previously played under Klopp during his time with Mainz in the Bundesliga.

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    World Cup 2026 timing aligns perfectly

    Klopp's five-year timeline for MLS growth coincides directly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With 11 U.S. cities hosting matches, including the New York-New Jersey area where MetLife Stadium will host the final, the tournament could also be pivotal for MLS's future.