'I knew...' - F1 world champion Verstappen lifts lid on Klopp to Red Bull

Tom Weber

• Updated: 18 Oct 2024 17:04 BST
• 3 min read

F1 world champion Max Verstappen is excited about Jurgen Klopp's arrival at Red Bull and revealed that talks were taking place 'for quite a long time.'

The legendary football coach is set for a career change starting from January 1, 2025. Klopp is leaving the dugout - potentially forever - to become Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer with the task of overseeing the Austrian firm's entire footballing apparatus.

Klopp will be in charge of all Red Bull teams, advising them on footballing matters, coaching appointments and transfers, so the German will head up RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg, RB Bragantino, Omiya Ardija and potentially Paris FC in the future.

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The former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund boss' decision to join Red Bull has outraged supporters in his native Germany, but the 57-year-old never made a secret of his admiration for their model nor of his desire to eventually move into upper-level management.

Verstappen on Klopp

Indeed, in the wake of the news, Sky Germany revealed that tentative talks over a potential move to Red Bull already began while Klopp was still at Liverpool, with first interest in the German's services dating back several years.

Now, serial F1 world champion and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has seemingly confirmed that Klopp's switch to RB did not come entirely out of the blue.

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Speaking to Sky Sports, the Dutchman stated: "I knew, of course, already for quite a long time that they were talking and that it was close to being signed.

"I think it's great because Red Bull is investing a lot also in football with the teams that they have already, there is a lot of talent that has come through already.

"With someone like Jurgen in charge as well from the top, he has a lot of experience, has managed a lot of great clubs, I think it's great for the whole organisation."