Jurgen Klopp said the New York Red Bulls’ new Morris Township training complex is “completely next level,” admitting the facility almost tempted him back into management. The 80-acre site — with eight full-size pitches and space for the first team, second team and academy — will also host Brazil this summer, underlining the Red Bull group’s growing investment and global ambitions in football.
Klopp praises New York Red Bulls facility, admits it “almost” made him return to coaching
Jurgen Klopp, now global head of football for the Red Bull group, used Wednesday’s opening of the New York Red Bulls’ new Morris Township complex to deliver high praise — and an unexpected admission. “This morning was a moment when I walked in and thought ‘oh that’s something I could miss,’” Klopp said, conceding that the facility of the MLS team briefly made him reconsider life away from the dugout.
What opened and who was there
The 80-acre complex includes eight full-size outdoor pitches and dedicated space for the first team, second team and the academy. The ribbon-cutting drew former Red Bull stars, including Thierry Henry, and MLS commissioner Don Garber. Klopp, who stepped down as Liverpool manager in summer 2024 and was appointed to his Red Bull role in January 2025, visited the site while it was still under construction and said he suggested a few changes ahead of opening.
Why Klopp’s reaction matters
Klopp’s endorsement matters because of his stature and recent detachment from day-to-day coaching. When a coach of his calibre calls a facility “completely next level,” it signals to players, coaches and rivals that the club has serious infrastructure capable of supporting elite preparation, development and recruitment. His quip about nearly returning to management was both candid and telling — the right environment can reawaken competitive instincts.
Strategic implications for the Red Bull network and MLS
The new complex is another tangible example of the Red Bull group consolidating its football empire — alongside RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and Bragantino. High-calibre training sites strengthen player pipelines across the network, enhance coaching continuity and make the club more attractive to international teams and touring sides.
Brazil’s World Cup preparations: a coup for New Jersey
This summer the complex will host the Brazilian national team as it prepares to chase a record-extending sixth men’s World Cup title. Klopp joked that convincing Brazil wasn’t necessary — “They saw it and wanted to be here” — and that the challenge was simply ensuring the national team didn’t occupy the facility entirely. Hosting Brazil is an unequivocal coup for MLS and the Red Bulls, raising the club’s profile and offering the academy a rare chance to observe world-class standards up close.
What this means for players and the club’s future
For academy prospects, the complex represents a clearer pathway to professional standards. For the first team, the facility reduces excuses about training conditions and signals intent to compete domestically and internationally. For the league, it’s proof that MLS destinations can provide world-class infrastructure attractive to elite teams and national sides.
Klopp’s continued influence
While Klopp insists he hasn’t missed coaching since leaving Liverpool, his active involvement in walk-throughs and design tweaks shows he’s shaping the environment in which the next generation will work. His presence lends credibility to the Red Bull operation and makes the complex a talking point beyond typical MLS circles.
Bottom line
The Morris Township complex elevates Red Bull New York’s credibility and infrastructure at a pivotal moment for MLS growth.
Klopp’s praise — and his admission that the building almost pulled him back into management — is both a promotional soundbite and a genuine indicator: elite facilities can change the conversation about a club’s ambitions and its place in global football.
Espn United Kingdom
