The name Mario Gomez might not mean much to Leeds United fans but in the footballing world, the former Germany striker is an icon after a star-studded career in Europe.
A three-time Bundesliga winner, Gomez enjoyed a hugely successful career that also saw him win league titles in Italy and Turkey. He also won the Champions League with Bayern Munich back in 2012-13.
A European Championship runner-up, and a third-place play-off World Cup winner with Germany that included 31 goals in 78 caps, Gomez enjoyed a stellar career at Stuttgart, Bayern, Fiorentina and Besiktas.
He retired in 2020 and has since been working within the footballing realms of Red Bull, who have of course bought a stake in Leeds United. It is believed Red Bull have a 10% stake in the Yorkshire club.
Mario Gomez set to sign new deal as Red Bull technical director
Red Bull’s emergence into European football is growing and Leeds is their latest venture, adding the Whites to a long list of clubs they are associated with after the initial moves with Salzburg and Leipzig.
New York Red Bulls and Bragantino also have big Red Bull influence, while Leeds and Paris FC boast minority stakes from the energy drinks conglomerate. Now, Gomez could be working closely with Leeds.
German newspaper Bild say he is set to sign a new contract with Red Bull as the company’s footballing technical director and will work alongside Jurgen Klopp, who was given the title ‘Head of Global Football’.
It is unclear if Gomez will work directly with Leeds but reports say he is set to put pen to paper on a deal until 2028, and lists Leeds as a club in which he will be tasked with looking after, running the rule over.
Red Bull not seeking bigger stake in Leeds United right now
When Gomez’s employers became involved with Leeds this summer, there was genuine concern among Leeds fans that the club could follow in the path of Salzburg, Leipzig, NYRB and Red Bull Bragantino.
All four clubs have seen their badges changed, names re-named and other startling influences from one of the world’s biggest companies. Leeds fans were concerned that Leeds would no longer be, Leeds.
But for now, the stake in the Yorkshire club remains at just 10%. While there is going to be some form of influence at board level, and both Gomez and Klopp could play a role, the YEP say it is staying at 10%.
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