Jürgen Klopp sees bright future for MLS after visit to New York Red Bulls | OneFootball

Legendary coach Jürgen Klopp is back around the game and this time it’s Major League Soccer catching his eye. The former Liverpool manager, now head of global soccer for Red Bull, was with the New York Red Bulls this week ahead of their Hudson River Derby with NYCFC.

Klopp was quick to praise what he saw in MLS and its potential. “I’m 100% sure, in five years time, we will speak completely differently,” he told ESPN. “I’m really sure it will grow and grow and grow.

“The kids coming up, starting playing soccer earlier, training, getting better. Obviously, the place where you can play and train getting better. Everywhere.

“I can tell you, the quality is really, really good. Good players, a lot of talent, high intensity. All these things you want to see when you watch it in a stadium or in television. I think [MLS] found its spot and now let’s work with it.”

The timing of Klopp’s praise is logical. MLS clubs have spent a record amount on transfers in 2025 (about $336 million in total) almost double the previous high. That’s brought global stars into the league, from Lionel Messi’s arrival in 2023 with Inter Miami to Son Heung-Min’s $26 million move from Tottenham this year, the biggest signing in MLS history.

Red Bulls atmosphere and facilities impressed Klopp

Klopp’s Red Bull role means New York is part of his remit, along with RB Leipzig, Salzburg and Bragantino. He joined the Red Bulls for training and was impressed.

The 13 major trophy winner also loved the team’s new training facility in Morris Township, New Jersey. “Massively, massively impressed. This is outstanding. It’s something you never really can dream of, because you cannot win when you win or whatever you do in football and soccer.”

On the pitch, the Red Bulls couldn’t give Klopp a win for his visit, losing 3–2 to NYCFC. That puts their 15-year playoff streak in jeopardy, but Klopp kept things in perspective.

“I don’t think we played exactly the season we wanted to play, but that’s OK, that happens, but we are still in a position to fight for it,” Klopp said ahead of the game. And that’s exactly the vibe I realized. That’s the mood. … What I saw now gives me a really positive feeling.”