Since becoming Head of Global Soccer for the Red Bull clubs, former Liverpool hero Jurgen Klopp has largely stayed in the background.

Occasionally, the 57-year-old's travels to Brazil, Japan, and Europe make headlines. His involvement, however, typically becomes visible only in times of sporting crisis.

Inter Milan's Benjamin Pavard (R) vies with Leipzig's Lois Openda during the league phase match between Inter Milan and RB Leipzig at the UEFA Champions League in Milan, Italy, Nov. 26, 2024. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)

That was the case after RB Leipzig, the energy drink giant's flagship club in Germany's top flight, struggled to navigate a difficult season. The 2019 Champions League winner's expertise was called upon.

On Sunday afternoon, Klopp made the decision to part ways with Leipzig coach Marco Rose after a worrying downward trend threatened the club's season objectives. His associate, former Hungarian international Zsolt Low, was appointed interim coach through the end of the 2024-25 season.

Reports indicate that Leipzig and Klopp are actively searching for a long-term solution for next season.

The Leipzig job is Low's first as a head coach, following years as an assistant at Leipzig (2015-2018), Paris Saint-Germain (2018-2020), Chelsea (2021-2022), and Bayern Munich (2023-2024). The former defender and midfielder worked alongside Thomas Tuchel in Paris, Munich, and London, where he was part of Chelsea's 2021 Champions League-winning squad.

In January 2025, Klopp named the 45-year-old as "Head of Soccer Development," responsible for tactical improvements across Red Bull's football clubs.

With Leipzig fighting for a top-four Bundesliga finish and a Champions League spot in the final seven rounds, the team also faces a critical German Cup semifinal against Stuttgart on Wednesday.

RB sporting director Marcel Schafer called securing a top-four finish and a place in the Cup final the club's immediate priorities.

"Low is the perfect fit to get us back on track," Schafer said.

Rose was dismissed Sunday morning after overseeing a recovery session following Leipzig's 1-0 loss to Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday. The 48-year-old, a two-time Austrian champion and 2023 German Cup winner, coached Leipzig for 125 matches.

"We need a fresh impulse for the final stretch of the season," Schafer said. "We tried for a long time to get things back on track, but we failed." He called the decision "inevitable."

Despite Leipzig's struggles, Klopp had supported Rose in recent weeks. However, after a dismal Champions League campaign in which the club managed just one win in eight matches and finished 32nd out of 36 teams in the new league format, a change was deemed necessary.

Low, now stepping out of his administrative role, vowed to use every available resource to turn things around.

"Our goals are still within reach," he said. "We want to reach the Cup final and climb the table."

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