Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has claimed Max Verstappen was "overjoyed" when informed that ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had joined Red Bull GmbH. The 57-year-old, who has also managed Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in his native Germany, joined the energy drink and sports enterprise as its head of global soccer at the start of 2025. Marko is keen for Klopp and Verstappen to sit down together , saying the former's "experience and leadership could be decisive" for Red Bull's drivers. According to the Austrian, it is something the four-time F1 drivers' champion is keen on - as is Klopp himself . "Max asked me to invite Klopp to a race, to talk to him," Marko told German publication F1 Insider . "Max is a big soccer fan and when he heard that Jurgen Klopp would be joining the Red Bull family, he was overjoyed. "One of his best friends is Virgil van Dijk, captain of the Dutch national team and for many years one of Jurgen Klopp's key players during his time at Liverpool FC."
Red Bull actively organising Verstappen-Klopp meeting
In Marko's eyes, intra-Red Bull synergies across different sports is part of the "beauty" of its overarching operation. He believes both Verstappen and Klopp will find common ground and confirmed the endeavour is now being actively pursued. "That's the beauty of Red Bull: the fact that we can create collaborations and bring the key players together thanks to our extensive sports programme at the highest level," the 81-year-old said. "I think the two have a lot to tell each other and a lot of questions for each other. What they certainly both have in common: neither of them will bend and they are known and loved for their clear and direct language. "We are now trying to organise the meeting as soon as possible."
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