Hoeneß on Klopp at Red Bull: "That's not a role"

Uli Hoeneß doesn't think much of Jürgen Klopp's role as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull. "For me, that's not a role that suits him. Jürgen Klopp has to be on the soccer pitch, he's not someone who flies around the world to give lectures," Hoeneß (74), Honorary President of FC Bayern Munich, told "Bild" in an interview. "His greatest strength is the interpersonal aspect, how he can push the players. But how do you want to push something in Leipzig when you're already back in Salzburg and then flying to Brazil?"

Hoeneß can "well imagine" Klopp becoming national coach. "I hold him in high regard, but I only see him as a coach and nothing else," he said of the long-serving Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC coach. Julian Nagelsmann still has a contract as national coach until Euro 2028.

Instead of Klopp, FC Bayern got Klinsmann

Hoeneß almost brought Klopp to Bayern in 2008. "I was already in agreement with him. I called him when he was still in Mainz and asked: "Can you imagine coaching FC Bayern?" And he replied: "Yes, of course." But then in the end we decided on Jürgen Klinsmann, who Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had suggested," said Hoeneß.

Munich then parted ways with Klinsmann before the end of the season, as the collaboration went anything but as desired. Klopp moved to Dortmund and started an era there.

Company as a "six in the lottery - with an extra number"

Hoeneß recognizes a potential Bayern coach of the future in his nephew Sebastian Hoeneß, who has been in charge of VfB Stuttgart since 2023. He has what it takes to become a coach in Munich one day, said the Bayern patron. "What he has done with VfB Stuttgart is worthy of all honors. He took them over from the bottom of the table, won the cup, played in the Champions League, is now back in the top five and in the cup semi-finals, even though top players have left. He can really do something."

Hoeneß is full of praise for the current Munich coach. "Vincent Kompany is a six in the lottery for us - with an extra number. He has achieved exactly what Thomas Tuchel, whom I consider to be a highly intelligent man, did not manage to do with us before: Vincent immediately had a closeness and passion for his players, and he never demanded a "holding six" or other players," said Hoeneß.

Kane should extend his contract in Munich

Kompany "points out grievances internally, but he would never address them publicly. That's how you make your players strong instead of weakening them. He is the most popular coach at FC Bayern for a long time."

Super striker Harry Kane should definitely extend his contract in Munich, which expires in the summer of 2027. "Yes, I would definitely do that. Harry is a stroke of luck for us," said Hoeneß. "But because his release clause for summer 2026 has expired and his contract now runs until summer 2027, we currently have no pressure."