Daniel Farke explains Jurgen Klopp relationship change since Red Bull became Leeds United investor
The Leeds United manager has opened up on his conversations with Red Bull's head of global soccer.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has given an intriguing insight into how his relationship with Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp has changed since Red Bull became a shareholder at Elland Road.
The energy drinks giant have become a minority investor and front of shirt sponsor of the Whites over the last 18 months - although they have stopped short of overseeing a rebrand similar to what was implemented at the likes of Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and Austrian side RB Salzburg. However, the Whites are believed to be able to benefit from the partnership by receiving access to Red Bull’s scouting network and sports science department throughout that time.
Further intrigue in the relationship between the club and Red Bull came when the latter named former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp as their ‘Head of Global Soccer’ in January this year. Although little was known of his new role, the German is said to have been charged with ‘making a long-term impact across the network of clubs’ currently under the Red Bull brand.
Speaking at the time, the man that helped bring an end to Liverpool’s long wait to land the Premier League title told the Red Bull website: "I want people to see us playing and without reading the name on the shirt, they should feel it – they should know (we’re Red Bull). What I want to do is develop football – develop football for our clubs, for our players and for our talents, but for football itself as well. Somebody has to take care of that. So yes, helping football and in the same moment being successful with Red Bull in the long term is super appealing to me."
Some had suggested that Klopp could make an impact on Farke’s role at Elland Road as the current Whites boss looks to preserve the club’s Premier League status - but the latter has stressed there has been no change in his relationship with the Liverpool legend other than that conversations between the two are now ‘on working time’.
Klopp and Leeds United difference
Speaking to Sky Germany, the Whites boss said: "I knew that I could always call him 24 hours a day. Now we have a very strong partner through this connection with Red Bull and we are happy that we can also use this network. The only difference is that if I have something, you can even book it as working time when I call him. Jürgen knows very well that if you work at the level as a trainer, you don't have time to have a chat over a coffee or chat about anything, there is no time for that.
“I know that if I have something where I need his advice, his help or any hint, then I can always call him. The only difference is that it officially runs as working time, but actually the exchange is not at all different than three or four years ago, when it was not yet this connection. It is also different, because of course the "classic" RB clubs also have the philosophy of playing football in their own way. Leeds is an independent club, RB is a strong partner and a strong investor. That's a difference from what is perhaps in New York or Salzburg or Leipzig."
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