Manager Jurgen Klopp has jokingly admitted that seeing New York Red Bulls’ brand new training ground made him want to return to management almost two years after leaving Liverpool. Reds legend Klopp will leave Anfield in the summer of 2024, bringing an end to an illustrious managerial career and leaving as Premier League champion, Champions League winner and one of the most beloved figures in Liverpool’s illustrious history.
Although there has been intense speculation since his departure over his possible return to the touchline, Klopp remains active in the world of football as Red Bull’s global head of football, a globe-trotting role overseeing the running of Red Bull’s portfolio of clubs.
Klopp visited New York Red Bulls earlier this week to unveil their new training facility, and gave a speech during which he revealed that an impressive new development had caught his attention.
“It was a moment this morning when I walked in and thought, ‘Oh, I might miss this,’ because I haven’t missed anything so far since I stepped down as manager,” Klopp said.
“But to go into a building like that on a nice day…I’m thankful the weather wasn’t great, otherwise I might have gone back (to management). It was really nice.”
Klopp has previously visited the facility and provided feedback, but downplayed any suggestion he had played a key role in overseeing its development.
“It’s a good moment for soccer and for Red Bull New York,” he continued. “I had nothing to do with this kind of planning or anything. I actually went in a few months ago and made some small changes, because it’s not the first time I’ve been involved in something like this. It feels beautiful and like a good start.”
The training center will be used by Brazil at this summer’s World Cup, and Klopp has assured that rival Carlo Ancelotti, who played against Liverpool at Real Madrid, Napoli and Everton, will be satisfied.
“We didn’t have to convince Brazil. They understood that and wanted to be here,” Klopp added. “We have a soccer team so we had to make sure they didn’t run out of the whole building and that’s the situation.
“I didn’t have to convince anyone, and (Brazil head coach) Carlo (Ancelotti) never had to convince anyone. He knows what he sees as good and he saw it.”
