Jurgen Klopp is making a comeback to football after leaving Liverpool, taking on a key position to help grow the game as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull.
In his new role, the 57-year-old will oversee the company’s football club network from 1st January 2025, managing the day-to-day operations while shaping the strategic vision to enhance Red Bull’s approach to an ever-competitive footballing climate.
Klopp will also play a part in the company’s global scouting efforts and help train and develop coaches within the organisation.
The ex-Liverpool boss has said: “After nearly 25 years on the sidelines, I’m thrilled to dive into a project like this. While my role has shifted, my love for football and the people who make it special remains unchanged.”
Just about every club Klopp’s touched has enjoyed periods of relative success, with Dortmund winning successive Bundesliga trophies in 2011 and 2012, before Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for the English title in 2020.
That can only excite fans of Red Bull’s four major clubs, which span three continents. Clearly, there’s plenty for Klopp to work with, and here we’ll look at how each team has seen its title odds change – if at all – on a potentially momentous day.
| RB Leipzig |
12/1 |
22/1 |
| Red Bull Salzburg |
1/2 |
4/6 |
| New York Red Bulls |
33/1 (MLS Cup) |
66/1 (MLS Cup) |
| Red Bull Bragantino |
500/1 |
3000/1 |
RB Leipzig
Even in the aftermath of the Klopp announcement, there are still no bookmakers willing to price the Red Bulls at odds shorter than 12/1. Last season, Leipzig finished seven points shy of the top three, but they’re in a good position to fight for a top-four spot this year, with odds of 4/9 in their favour.
They are at least a solid choice to be runner-up, with their odds now at 4/1 in the ‘Without Bayern Munich’ outright market.
See also: More information on Bundesliga outright odds and Harry Kane's nearest challengers for the top scorer prize.
Red Bull Salzburg
Current Salzburg boss Pep Lijnders was Klopp’s right-hand man at Anfield, and was even the favourite to succeed Klopp shortly after the German tactician announced his Anfield departure back in January.
Mere months after Salzburg saw their decade-long hold on the Austrian Bundesliga title, Lijnders needs his old confidant more than anyone connected to Red Bull.
But despite a 5-0 loss to the current leaders and reigning champions Sturm Graz on 6th October, which put them six points adrift of the summit, Leipzig’s position as 4/7 favourites to win the league hasn’t shifted.
This may be down mainly to their rich history of success, and Sturm Graz’s lesser recent history of balancing Champions League duties with league action. But at the same time, we can’t entirely rule out the Klopp factor, given his existing close relationship with Lijnders.
New York Red Bulls
NYRB’s odds currently fluctuate wildly, though a range of 33/1-66/1 for the MLS Cup looks pretty bleak next to favourites Inter Miami (6/4), who boast the evergreen talent of Lionel Messi and his former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.
Of course, the playoff format utilised by the MLS system can see odds shift drastically as an underdog team progresses through the bracket.
The current MLS season will be over by the time Klopp starts with Red Bull, but with the announcement of his appointment might spur NYRB on psychologically, potentially resulting in them making progress in this year’s playoffs.
Red Bull Bragantino
Relegation-threatened Bragantino have long been out of the title race, with their outright odds being a superfluous presence with only a limited array of bookmakers, ranging from 500/1 to 3000/1.
Not even the promise of improvement with Klopp’s involvement will change that, especially after a return of just one win in 12 league games prior to the October international break.
There has, however, been a small drift for Bragantino’s relegation odds, to 13/2. They currently sit five points clear of the Brazilian Serie A relegation zone.
