October 30th 2024.
Jurgen Klopp recently announced his decision to take up a new role with Red Bull football, a move that has sparked some criticism. However, the former Liverpool boss has stood by his decision and defended it against the backlash from his former clubs.
As Klopp bids farewell to the Premier League this summer, he already has a new gig lined up as the global head of soccer for Red Bull. Starting on January 1st, he will be responsible for overseeing Red Bull's network of football clubs, including RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, and acting as a consultant for various aspects such as playing philosophy and recruitment of players and staff.
But Klopp's new job title has not been well-received by everyone, with many in German football expressing their disapproval of Red Bull's multi-club ownership model and their use of loopholes to bypass the 50+1 fan ownership rule. His former club Mainz even displayed banners criticizing the move, and one of his ex-Dortmund players, Kevin Grosskreutz, also voiced his disapproval.
When asked about the criticism he has received, Klopp acknowledged that it would have been difficult to please everyone, no matter what he chose to do next. "I certainly didn't want to step on anyone's toes," he stated in an interview with Einfach mal Luppen, a podcast hosted by Toni Kroos and his brother, Felix. "I have a special place in my heart for all my former clubs, and I wanted to make a decision that would make everyone happy. But that's not always possible," he added.
Klopp's departure from Liverpool at the end of last season left many fans wondering what his next move would be. "It was always clear to me that I wasn't going to do nothing at all," he explained. "That's when the Red Bull opportunity came up, and I have to say, it's an outstanding one. I must admit, I've never been a huge fan of the Red Bull story, but this role really appealed to me."
Describing his new position, Klopp said, "I'm essentially a consultant. I hope to bring a sense of calm to various situations and provide a different perspective. I also want to work with the coaches, not dictate to them, because I know how unhelpful that can be. I want to share my experience and stay within my area of expertise."
The 57-year-old coach admitted that he expected some resistance from the German football community but reaffirmed that he was content with his decision. "I knew that it would be perceived differently in Germany compared to other countries," he said. "German football is unique, and you can't let others' reactions dictate your decisions. As long as I am at peace with my decision, that's all that matters."
He also added, "I am over 50 years old; if I couldn't handle criticism by now, that would be quite foolish. But I reserve the right to say that it doesn't hold much significance for me. I am happy with my decision."
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