Red Bull Signs Roger Schmidt to Succeed Klopp

Roger Schmidt will succeed Jürgen Klopp as Red Bull’s global head of soccer. The experienced coach will take office as Head of Global Soccer on October 1, the company announced. According to the announcement, Schmidt has signed a long-term contract and will work alongside Florian Scholz, Head of Global Soccer Commercial, to further advance the sporting and commercial future of Red Bull’s soccer ecosystem.

Following the World Cup and the German Football Association’s parting of ways with national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, Klopp—Red Bull’s former head of soccer—was released by the company so he could become Nagelsmann’s successor. It comes as a surprise that the energy drink manufacturer has filled the position so quickly.

Mintzlaff Praises Schmidt’s Expertise

“We are very pleased to welcome Roger Schmidt back to Red Bull. With his many years of experience, his outstanding soccer expertise, and his clear understanding of our philosophy, he is the right person to lead the sporting direction of our global soccer portfolio,” said Red Bull’s sports chief Oliver Mintzlaff, adding: “Throughout his career, he has earned an outstanding reputation for developing young talent and successfully advancing them to the highest level. His bold, intense style of play—featuring aggressive pressing and fast-paced attacking soccer—is a perfect fit for our soccer DNA.”

Schmidt, 59, made a name for himself as head coach of RB Salzburg between 2012 and 2014, where he achieved significant success. This was followed by coaching stints at Bayer Leverkusen, Beijing Guoan (China), PSV Eindhoven, and Benfica Lisbon. Most recently, he served as Global Sports Director of Japan’s J-League. His name had repeatedly been mentioned as a potential coach for RB Leipzig, but he consistently turned down the offers.

Schmidt is looking forward to this exciting challenge

“I’m very much looking forward to this new challenge and am proud to be part of the Red Bull family again. Red Bull’s international club portfolio is unique, ambitious, and characterized by a clear philosophy of developing young talent while simultaneously achieving success at the highest level. It is precisely this combination that makes this role particularly appealing to me,” said Schmidt.