Jurgen Klopp’s Influence Lives On: How the Former Liverpool Boss Is Shaping RB Leipzig Through Ole Werner
Jurgen Klopp may no longer be prowling the touchline at Anfield, roaring with passion after a last-minute winner, but his influence on world football continues to expand — now reaching far beyond Liverpool. Since stepping away from management, the German tactician’s energy and ideas have quietly reshaped new corners of the game. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in his native Germany, where Klopp’s mentorship is helping guide RB Leipzig’s new manager, Ole Werner.
In a recent interview, Werner — now at the helm of Leipzig — described Klopp as “a mirror” in his career. It’s a phrase that reveals not only admiration but also the depth of their connection. Beneath that reflection lies a story of mentorship, respect, and the continuation of a footballing philosophy that has already inspired a generation of coaches across Europe.
Klopp’s Second Act: From Touchline to Mentor
When Klopp stepped down from Liverpool in 2024 after nearly a decade of unforgettable success, many expected him to retreat from football, to rest after years of intensity and emotional strain. But that was never his nature. Football runs through Klopp’s veins — and though he no longer commands the dugout, he has found a new stage.
Now serving as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, Klopp oversees a network of clubs — including RB Leipzig, Salzburg, and New York Red Bulls — promoting a shared DNA of high-energy, fearless football. His role focuses on mentoring coaches, nurturing young players, and maintaining the “heavy metal” spirit that once electrified Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
The Klopp–Werner Connection
For Ole Werner, Klopp’s guidance has been transformative. The 37-year-old coach admits that their conversations have changed how he sees football — and leadership.
“Jurgen is like a mirror,” Werner said. “When we talk, I see not only my ideas but also my blind spots. He doesn’t give me orders — he helps me understand where I can grow.”
It’s classic Klopp: empowering, not controlling. His mentorship emphasizes identity and emotional intelligence over tactics alone — values that defined his own managerial journey. Werner has taken those principles to heart, blending them with his own structured approach at Leipzig.
Klopp’s Role in Werner’s Appointment
According to several reports, Klopp personally recommended Werner to Red Bull’s hierarchy, praising his work at Werder Bremen and his understanding of modern pressing football. For Leipzig — a club built on youthful energy and fast transitions — Werner’s balance of tactical structure and emotional leadership was exactly what they needed.
“Jurgen told me I didn’t need to be him,” Werner revealed. “He said, ‘Be yourself — just be fearless.’”
Under Werner, Leipzig have rediscovered their spark. Training sessions are more intense, communication louder, and the squad more unified. The emphasis, Werner says, is on ownership:
“Jurgen always told me, when players own their problems, they’ll own their success.”
A Shared Philosophy with a Personal Twist
Klopp’s teams have always thrived on emotion — football played with heart, not fear. Werner has adapted that idea, infusing it with his own preference for positional control and patient buildup. The result is a Leipzig side that presses with intelligence and attacks with freedom.
Klopp’s influence even extends to Leipzig’s recruitment strategy. The club now prioritizes players with high emotional intelligence and a strong work ethic over pure athleticism. Klopp reportedly advised Werner, “You can teach pressing, but you can’t teach heart. Sign players who love football more than fame.”
That approach is paying off. Players like Xavi Simons and Loïs Openda have flourished under Werner’s leadership, and several younger members of the squad have spoken about the renewed sense of togetherness inside the dressing room. “It feels like a family again,” one player said recently. “The coach tells us that football must be played with love, not fear.”
Beyond Leipzig: Klopp’s New Legacy
Klopp’s influence now stretches across the Red Bull football network. He is advising coaches, coordinating development pathways, and embedding his footballing DNA across continents. Yet, it’s in Leipzig — where one of his most promising protégés leads — that his impact feels most visible and personal.
Werner acknowledges that being seen as “Klopp’s man” is an honor, but insists he’s forging his own identity:
“He would never want me to copy him. He wants me to discover who I am as a coach.”
Their conversations go far beyond tactics — they often touch on leadership, pressure, and perspective. Werner says Klopp reminds him to stay grounded through highs and lows:
“When we lose, he tells me, ‘Let emotion push you, but don’t let it blind you.’”
A Legacy of Mentorship
As Leipzig continue to rise, Klopp watches from afar — offering words of encouragement before and after matches. When they win, his messages are joyful; when they lose, they’re brief but steady: “Stay patient. Keep believing.”
That quiet mentorship captures the essence of Klopp’s second act. He may no longer command the roar of the Kop, but his voice still echoes through locker rooms and his ideals continue to guide a new generation of leaders.
For Ole Werner, that “mirror” he sees in Klopp will always reflect more than tactics — it reflects belief, humility, and the courage to build teams that play with identity.
And for football itself, Klopp’s evolving role proves something remarkable: that true leadership doesn’t end when the final whistle blows — it simply finds new ways to inspire
