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Red Bull appoints Roger Schmidt as global head of soccer, replacing Klopp
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Just over a week after Jürgen Klopp left to join the German Football Association (DFB), Red Bull has appointed Roger Schmidt as his successor as Global Head of Soccer, effective October 1st. The 58-year-old former Bundesliga coach brings over twenty years of experience and is familiar with the Red Bull system, having coached Red Bull Salzburg from 2012 to 2014. Schmidt will be responsible for the sporting side of Red Bull's seven clubs worldwide, including RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, and Salzburg, while Florian Scholz handles administration. Schmidt, known for intense attacking pressing football, previously coached Benfica Lisbon to a Portuguese title and Champions League quarter-finals. He was also a candidate for the DFB national coach job in 2023 before Julian Nagelsmann was selected. Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff pursued Schmidt aggressively to secure the appointment.
Source report
That was quick! Just over a week after Jürgen Klopp (59) left for the DFB, Red Bull has found a successor for the position of "Global Head of Soccer": According to BILD information, Roger Schmidt (58) will take over from October 1st.
The football expert is an absolute top pick due to his over twenty years of experience as a coach. Additionally, Schmidt knows the Red Bull cosmos, having been a coach at Red Bull Salzburg from 2012 to 2014. He has always been highly regarded by the beverage giant.
Now he makes his comeback away from the sidelines. As global football boss, Schmidt will be responsible for the seven Red Bull clubs worldwide:
- RB Leipzig (Germany)
- New York Red Bulls (USA)
- FC Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
- Red Bull Bragantino (Brazil)
- Ōmiya Ardija (Japan)
- Leeds United (minority stake)
- Paris FC (minority stake)
Roger Schmidt was, among other things, a coach at PSV Eindhoven. Photo: WITTERS
Since October 2025, Schmidt has been employed as a global football consultant for the highest Japanese league (J.League). Previously, he coached Benfica Lisbon until 2024. In his debut season 2022/23, he became Portuguese champion convincingly and reached the Champions League quarter-finals. Schmidt stands for intense, attacking pressing football and therefore fits perfectly with the Red Bull philosophy.
The DFB Also Wanted Schmidt
Schmidt is thus part of the dual leadership in Red Bull's "Global Soccer Team." He is responsible for the sporting area, while Florian Scholz handles the administrative part.
In the past, major clubs repeatedly courted him, including Borussia Dortmund, FC Bayern, and last summer RB Leipzig. He was also a candidate for the national coach job at the DFB in 2023, before Julian Nagelsmann (39) got it.
Red Bull boss Oliver Mintzlaff (50) fought intensely for Schmidt – and got him.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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Red Bull Appoints Roger Schmidt as Global Head of Soccer