Roger Schmidt Named Red Bull's Successor to Jürgen Klopp
Red Bull has found Jürgen Klopp's successor within its football structure. Experienced coach Roger Schmidt will take over as the group's Global Head of Football starting in October.
Red Bull has officially found the replacement for Jürgen Klopp within its football organization. After the German manager accepted the opportunity to become the head coach of the Germany national team, the multi-club group appointed Roger Schmidt as its new Global Head of Football, a key executive role responsible for overseeing the sporting direction of all clubs under the company's umbrella.
Schmidt will officially begin his new position on October 1, marking a return to an organization he knows well after previously managing Red Bull Salzburg, where he enjoyed one of the most successful spells of his coaching career.
A Familiar Face Returns to the Red Bull Family
Throughout his managerial career, Roger Schmidt has built an impressive résumé across European football. He has coached Paderborn, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, and Benfica, in addition to his successful tenure at Red Bull Salzburg between 2012 and 2014.
Most recently, the German had been working in an executive role within Japanese football, a position he took on in October 2025. He will now leave that role to rejoin Red Bull, where his deep understanding of the organization's philosophy and extensive international experience made him the ideal candidate for one of its most influential leadership positions.
During his time with Red Bull Salzburg, Schmidt guided the Austrian club to a domestic league and cup double while establishing the high-intensity, attacking style that has become synonymous with the Red Bull football model.
Overseeing a Global Football Network
As Global Head of Football, Roger Schmidt will be responsible for coordinating the sporting strategy across Red Bull's international portfolio of clubs. That network includes RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Bragantino, and RB Omiya Ardija, while the company also holds stakes in Leeds United and Paris FC.
His primary objective will be to maintain the sporting philosophy developed under Jürgen Klopp, ensuring consistency in player development, coaching methodology, and long-term planning throughout every club in the organization.
With this appointment, Red Bull is placing its trust in an experienced football mind to preserve the stability and identity of one of the sport's most successful multi-club projects, while Klopp begins a new chapter as head coach of Germany.
