Jurgen Klopp's first Red Bull job to see ex-Liverpool boss seal takeover of new club

It won’t be long before Jurgen Klopp is back in charge of big business in his new role as Head of Global Football for Red Bull. The former Liverpool coach, who concluded his nine-year tenure at Anfield in July, has been observing football from the sidelines since leaving Merseyside.

However, his focus will shift to the global scale once he officially commences his new position leading Red Bull’s operations from January 1. And it could spell bad news for a certain European superpower.

Reports suggest Klopp will take on a key responsibility for finalising the energy drink company’s proposed acquisition of Paris FC. The Blues are currently leading the charge at the top of France’s second division, Ligue 2, and are well-positioned to secure a spot in the top flight for the first time since 1979.

French daily L’Equipe (via Wales Online) reported Red Bull is prepared to collaborate with the Arnault family – owners of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH (Louis Vuitton, Moet and Hennessey) – on a joint takeover. This would establish Red Bull as a minority shareholder, giving the Austrian outfit a foothold in France.

Red Bull already possesses a portfolio of clubs worldwide, including RB Leipzig (Germany), Red Bull Salzburg (Austria), the New York Red Bulls (United States) and Red Bull Bragantino (Brazil). And the chance to position themselves as a potential competitor to Paris Saint-Germain could have significant repercussions.

Paris FC’s current owners, Pierre Ferracci and the Kingdom of Bahrain, are reportedly in advanced talks over a potential deal. However, Klopp could still play a significant role in any takeover as he prepares for his next footballing venture.

Reports suggest the Arnault family will acquire approximately 55% of Paris FC’s shares, with Ferracci retaining around 30% until 2027, at which point those shares will also be sold to LVMH. Red Bull is anticipated to purchase the remaining 15% of the club, although the timeline for this investment remains unclear.

According to L’Equipe, Paris FC could have up to €300million (£250m) at their disposal in the coming years if the takeover is successful. Both Red Bull and Arnault envisage the club solidifying its position in Ligue 1 and becoming a Champions League contender in the near future.

Klopp is no stranger to Red Bull’s ability to build successful projects, having witnessed Leipzig’s rise to prominence in the Bundesliga during his tenure at Borussia Dortmund. Now, he is set to take a leading role in expanding Red Bull’s empire before attempting to emulate that success in Paris.