Raging (Red) bull: Klopp axed nine managers in just 16 months!

Jurgen Klopp may insist that he is not directly involved in managerial appointments across Red Bull's football network, but not everyone is convinced.

Since taking up his senior role within the Red Bull football structure, (Head of Global Soccer) the former Liverpool manager has repeatedly stated that day-to-day decisions are left to the executives and sporting directors running the group's clubs.

"I know that side of the job very well - I've been in those positions myself. My wish is for coaches at our clubs to stay for eight or nine years. I hope that will be the case because they will feel our support and trust," Klopp said before making moves that were in a completely different direction.

The first coach to lose his job was Marco Rose in RB Leipzig, dismissed in March. Even the fact that Rose had played under Klopp at Mainz for six years and enjoyed a close relationship with him could not save him. His departure left the RB Leipzig bench vacant, with Ole Werner eventually appointed.

Between Rose's dismissal and Werner's recent exit a few days ago, another seven managers were shown the door across Red Bull's clubs around the world.

That means that in just 16 months in his role, Klopp has overseen the departures of no fewer than nine coaches.

The former Liverpool manager has sanctioned managerial changes not only at Leipzig, but also at Red Bull Salzburg, the New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Bragantino and elsewhere across the group's global football network.

Publicly, Klopp has been careful to avoid taking ownership of major personnel decisions, particularly coaching changes.

Klopp revealed why he turned down Manchester United

Yet, according to German football legend Lothar Matthaus, the reality is very different.

Speaking to Bild, Matthaus suggested that Klopp's influence within the Red Bull empire extends far beyond what is visible from the outside.

"When it comes to Leipzig, nothing can be done without Jurgen Klopp," Matthaus said.

"Nothing works without him. From the outside, he appears innocent and keeps repeating that he is not the one making the decisions. But decisions are not made without him.

"He is the one and only ruler at Red Bull."

Klopp: 'World Cup the worst idea ever'

The comments offer an intriguing insight into how Klopp is perceived within German football circles. While the 59-year-old has sought to present himself as an adviser and strategic figure rather than a hands-on executive, Matthaus believes the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund boss ultimately holds the greatest influence over the direction of Red Bull's football operations.

Whether Klopp would agree with that assessment is another matter entirely.