Leeds United may risk damage with ‘outside influence’ amid Jurgen Klopp news
Jurgen Klopp’s new role at Red Bull could have a negative effect on Leeds United, according to former midfielder David Norris.
Decorated ex-Liverpool manager Klopp has agreed to join the conglomerate as their Head of Global Soccer from 1 January, incorporating a strategic oversight into the Red Bull clubs, including Leipzig, Salzburg and New York.
The lucrative investment between the energy drinks giant and Leeds United means a potential occasional involvement with Daniel Farke and the team, something Norris – speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News – sees as a possible interference.
“On paper, it sounds a good thing. It’ll be interesting to see how hands-on Klopp is at these Red Bull clubs because he is a football manager after all, and what the role actually turns out to entail,” he said.
“However, I grew up supporting Liverpool and I remember when Gerard Houllier came in to help Roy Evans – it was only a matter of time before Houllier took over. Obviously, I don’t expect that to happen with Klopp and it’s an entirely different role, but it might just be extra pressure for Farke.
“Unless they’re friends and they’ve had a prior working relationship, Farke might not appreciate any kind of outside influence, no matter who they are.”
Jurgen Klopp impact on Leeds United so far unclear
While Klopp’s role will cover a multitude of clubs and daily duties, Leeds are the enigma in the situation in that they are not part of the “empire”, with Red Bull only minority investors so far.
In among the concerns, Farke himself has come out and cleared up his side of how he believes the situation to be, assuring that the “philosophy” will not be altered with any great impact [16 October].
BBC journalist Adam Pope even mooted the possibility of Klopp making a sensational move to Elland Road as manager [14 October] if the club achieve promotion to the Premier League, implying nothing is impossible.
In other Leeds news, the club could send Manor Solomon back to Tottenham early.
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