Roger Schmidt succeeds Jurgen Klopp as Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer

On 1 October 2026, Roger Schmidt (59) officially succeeded Jürgen Klopp as Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer. The German tactician's primary focus is overseeing the group's five major clubs, defining their playing philosophy, and driving global development strategy across the entire network.

Succeeding Jürgen Klopp: The challenges and opportunities facing Roger Schmidt

The appointment was announced by Red Bull on 31 July 2026, just a week after Jürgen Klopp stepped down to take charge of the German national team. This swift transition ensures strategic stability, leaving no power vacuum at the top.

Schmidt is a familiar face within the setup, having managed RB Salzburg between 2012 and 2014, where he helped shape their high-intensity Gegenpressing style. This philosophy has since become the brand's DNA and the guiding light for Red Bull's entire multi-club network.

CEO Oliver Mintzlaff expressed absolute confidence in Schmidt's capabilities, highlighting the perfect alignment between his footballing philosophy and the group's identity. This synergy forms the foundation for Red Bull's high expectations as they embark on a successful new chapter post-Klopp.

A macro mission across Red Bull's five-club global empire

Schmidt will directly oversee a portfolio of five clubs: Leipzig, Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, Bragantino, and Omiya Ardija. His core mandate is to shape sporting strategy, unify the playing philosophy, and run their youth scouting network on a global scale.

To optimize operations, Schmidt will work closely with Chief Commercial Officer Florian Scholz. This partnership aims to strike a perfect balance between on-pitch success and the group's commercial growth targets.

Notably, he will also continue in his role as Global Football Advisor to Japan's J.League. This strategic move allows Red Bull to expand its footprint and tap deeper into the Asian market.

The Verdict

Roger Schmidt holds the key to shaping the future of the entire Red Bull sporting empire. His deep understanding of the Gegenpressing identity makes him the ideal chief architect to unify and elevate this global multi-club network.

However, the pressure of managing such a vast network and maintaining the standards set by his predecessor represents a monumental challenge. Can Roger Schmidt step out of Jürgen Klopp's shadow to lead the Red Bull empire to new heights?