'Willkommen Jurgen Klopp' - New York Red Bulls send fans into a frenzy as the former Liverpool boss visits the MLS club

Following his shock exit from Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season, some expected Jurgen Klopp to take over the managerial role at another top club. Instead, the German opted to take break from coaching.

His plans soon changed as Klopp took over as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer in October 2024.

The German officially began his new chapter from January 2025 and has already toured several of the clubs within the Red Bull stable. That includes RB Leipzig and Red Bull Bragantino.

The New York Red Bulls were next on his list and his visit this week has sent the club's fans into a frenzy. The German posed with the MLS side’s jersey on a snowy training ground and the photo alone had fans wondering whether the club had made a sensational managerial move.

After a successful nine-year spell at Liverpool in which he won the Premier League and the Champions League, Klopp’s decision to join the Red Bull family shocked some - especially given his connections to both Borussia Dortmund and Mainz.

In taking on the role for Red Bull, Klopp said, “You cannot make your decision depending on what reactions there will be. I am 57 and can still work a few more years. But I did not see myself on the sidelines for now. It was clear for me that I would do something. So then Red Bull came. For me it is outstanding.”

Thanks to the arrival of Emil Forsberg and a other reinforcements, the Red Bulls managed to reach the MLS Cup Playoff final for the first time since 2008. That was despite only finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference as the club beat city rivals New York City FC and Orlando City SC on their way to the Cup final. However, a 2-1 loss to LA Galaxy meant that the club’s wait for a MLS Cup trophy is still on standby, having made the finals twice (2008 and 2024) and lost twice.

But fans remain hopeful as the club have improved with the arrival of Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, Felipe Carballo and Wiktor Bogacz. It does give manager Sandro Schwarz a welcome headache to create the right tactical system ahead of their 2025 MLS season opener against FC Cincinnati on the Feb. 23.