Klopp ‘needs time’ to make impact as Red Bull boss, says Alonso

BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso on Friday backed Jurgen Klopp to make an impact in his new job at Red Bull, but said the former Liverpool manager “needs time”.

Klopp took over as Red Bull´s global head of soccer in January, overseeing a stable of clubs including RB Leipzig, who host Alonso´s Leverkusen on Saturday. Klopp won back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund and lifted the Champions League and Premier League trophies with Liverpool.

The 57-year-old has already been seen watching Leipzig and French second-tier club Paris FC from the stands. “In the future, yes,” Alonso said of Klopp´s influence.

“I think that he´s only been in the job for around a month. His influence, his personality, his charisma are huge in the football world. “But everyone needs a bit of time.”