Red Bull director Oliver Mintzlaff has insisted there is no clause in Jurgen Klopp’s contract allowing him to join the German national team.

Former Liverpool manager Klopp will end his sabbatical earlier than expected to take up a role as Red Bull’s head of global soccer in January 2025, and early reports of his new role claimed the existence of a release clause which would allow Klopp to return to management with Germany.

Mintzlaff, however, has quickly put that narrative to bed.

“Jurgen Klopp has no exit clause and we are looking forward to a long-term collaboration,” he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

“In Julian Nagelsmann, Germany has a fantastic national coach, whom I greatly respect and with whom I also have a very good relationship.”

Nagelsmann, the current Germany boss, had previously admitted he did not expect Klopp’s contract to include such a release clause.

“I know Oli [Mintzlaff] very well, I can’t imagine that the clause is in the contract – but I’ll ask,” he said.

“I congratulate Oliver Mintzlaff on an outstanding coup. I also congratulate Jurgen Klopp on an excellent and interesting job. Two years ago, Jurgen said that RB was a football project. Jurgen has worked in English football for a long time and it’s normal there to have an owner of a club. He knows that there is someone behind it who is financing things.

“It is a super interesting job that Jurgen will do very well with his style. It’s a win-win situation for both parties. I was happy that Oli informed me relatively early. I think it’s very good for both parties.”

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