Schmidt leaves J.League post for Red Bull global role
Red Bull has appointed Roger Schmidt as its new Head of Global Soccer, confirming a major leadership change across its worldwide football network. The 59-year-old German will replace Jürgen Klopp and officially start on 1 October 2026 after signing a long-term contract. Schmidt arrives from his role as Global Sports Director of Japan's J.League, making this a significant J.League-linked move even though it is centered on Red Bull's international structure. His remit will cover sporting strategy across clubs including RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Bragantino and Ōmiya Ardija.
The appointment brings Schmidt back into the Red Bull ecosystem after his earlier spell at Red Bull Salzburg from 2012 to 2014, when he won the Austrian Bundesliga and Austrian Cup. Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said Schmidt's experience, football knowledge and understanding of the group philosophy made him the right person to guide the portfolio. For J.League observers, the timing matters because Schmidt's exit removes a high-profile executive from Japan's league administration and links domestic football more directly to Red Bull's global talent pipeline and club operations.
Schmidt's resume also underlines why Red Bull chose him now. He has coached Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, Benfica and Beijing Guoan, giving him broad experience across Europe and Asia. The move suggests Red Bull wants a leader who can balance player development with competitive success, while also supporting football operations at partner clubs Leeds United and Paris FC. That combination of J.League experience and international pedigree makes the appointment one of the most notable off-field stories connected to Japanese football on this date.