Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 12:08 / Updated Tuesday, February 17, 2026 12:08
His Honorary President BayernUli Hoeness (74), criticizes Jurgen Klopp's (58) choice to accept the job of “global head of football” at Red Bull.
Exhausted, Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool in the summer of 2024 after 10 years. But in January 2025 he accepted the position of “global head of football” at the Red Bull concern, whose flagship club is RB Leipzig.
Uli Hoeness believes Jurgen Klopp's place is on the pitch
For the honorary president of Bayern, Uli Hoeness, the choice made by the famous German technician is nonsense and he does not hesitate to “stab” him in an interview with the Bild tabloid.
Jurgen Klopp and Uli Hoeness, in a friendly discussion / Photo: Imago
“This is not a role that suits him. Jurgen Klopp needs to be on the football pitch! He's not someone who flies around the world lecturing. His greatest strength is his interpersonal skills, the way he can motivate players. But how can you motivate someone in Leipzig if you are in Salzburg and then fly to Brazil?”, is the question posed by the former German international.
Uli Hoeness: “I had agreed with Jurgen Klopp, but in the end I hired Jurgen Klinsmann”
Hoeness also confirmed that in 2008 he wanted to hire Jurgen Klopp at Bayern: “I had already reached an agreement with him. I called him when he was still at Mainz and asked him: «Can you imagine coaching FC Bayern??” And he answered me: «Yes, of course». But in the end we opted for Jurgen Klinsmann, who had been suggested to us by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.”
At the time, Hoeness was the president of the German champions and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the club's chief executive. Klinsmann then proved a bad choice. The former Germany 2006 World Cup coach had a below-par 2008-09 season as Bayern lost the title and he was sacked before the final whistle of the season.
Uli Hoeness: “Vincent Kompany is like winning the lottery for us”
In the interview given to journalists from Bild, Hoeness also spoke about the current coach of the Bavarians, whom the club hired after being turned down by several big-name technicians. “Vincent Kompany is like winning the lottery for us.
He achieved exactly what Thomas Tuchel, who I consider a very intelligent man, had failed to do here. Vincent had an immediate connection and passion for his players and never asked us to bring him players.
He flags internal issues but would never address them publicly. This is how you strengthen your players instead of weakening them. He is the most popular coach at FC Bayern after a long time,” claims the honorary president of the Bundesliga leader.
