Uli Hoeneß has commented on Jürgen Klopp – and made it clear how he sees his current role at Red Bull
The honorary president of FC Bayern does not see the former BVB and Liverpool coach in a superior management position. „For me, that’s not a role that suits him. Jürgen Klopp has to be on the soccer pitch, he’s not someone who flies around the world to give lectures,“ said Hoeneß in an interview with BILD
For the 74-year-old, Klopp’s strengths clearly lie on the training pitch. „Klopp’s greatest strength is the interpersonal aspect, how he can push the players,“ Hoeneß continued. This is exactly where he sees the 58-year-old as being best placed – not in a global strategy role with lots of travel appointments. „But how do you want to push something in Leipzig if you’re already back in Salzburg and then flying to Brazil?“
Hoeneß can imagine Klopp at the DFB
Should Klopp want to work as a head coach again, Hoeneß believes he could also take on a role at the DFB. He could „well imagine“ Klopp becoming national coach one day. However, one thing is clear for the Bayern patron: „I hold him in high regard, but I only see him as a coach and nothing else.“
Klopp and FC Bayern almost worked together many years ago. Hoeneß recalled talks from 2008: „I was already in agreement with him. I called him when he was still in Mainz and asked: ‚Can you imagine coaching FC Bayern?‘ And he replied: ‚Yes, of course.‘ But in the end we decided on Jürgen Klinsmann, who had been suggested by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.“
While Klinsmann only had a short tenure in Munich, Klopp later moved to Borussia Dortmund and shaped a successful era there. After his time at Liverpool FC, he stepped down in 2024 and took on the role of Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull in early 2025. For Hoeneß, however, one thing is clear: Klopp’s true stage remains the touchline.