Jurgen Klopp has gone on the charm offensive to Max Verstappen as the former Liverpool boss requests a meeting with the Formula One star.
Klopp, who left his Anfield post at the end of last season, has begun his role as Red Bull’s global head of soccer.
The decision to join the network caused controversy when it was announced because of Red Bull’s much-maligned multi-club model.
It hasn’t stopped Klopp from sharing his excitement upon joining Red Bull, with the football tactician even requesting a meeting with the poster boy of their sporting operation… four-time world champion Verstappen.
When quizzed on if he’s planning a chat with the racecar driver, Klopp replied: “There are so many things to talk about! Not just how focused he is, but all kinds of things. It’s really crazy. I would love to spend time with him to understand how he can do that under the threat of 300 miles an hour in a car and still be in his absolute best mindset. Super interesting.”
Aside from his meet and greets with Verstappen and Red Bull’s other big name sport stars, one of the biggest questions upon Klopp’s arrival was whether he is keen to get back into management one day.
The German categorically shut down the proposition, but has insisted he’s all-in on the job at hand.
He added: “I will not be the coach of a Red Bull team, that is a clear commitment.
“I guarantee that I will not be a coach but I am probably the only person in this room who will be asked where I might be in four or five years — nobody has a clue where they will be in five years.”
A frank assessment of his future prospects in management, but despite only just getting his feet under the table, Klopp hasn’t been afraid to ruffle some feathers.
The 2019 Champions League winner went on a full-scale attack of the upcoming Club World Cup – a competition Red Bull Salzburg are set to compete in.
On the new-look tournament, he said: “I know Salzburg are playing the Club World Cup, but do I have to say I love the competition? I don’t, I still don’t, I think it’s useless…
“We now have a lot of injuries in European football. At some point we have to reduce the amount of games.
“Sometimes the less often you see something you more you love it. It is clear, [fewer] games or bigger squads, there is no other solution.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk