Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has questioned the widespread criticism he received after being named Red Bull’s world football boss in October.
Klopp developed a reputation as a football purist during his managerial career in Germany with Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund before winning hearts and minds for his football and his philosophy a Liverpool. It is believed that his thoughts and feelings clash with the image of the sports project of Red Bull.
The fizzy drinks empire has invested in football clubs on three different continents, changing the colors and badges of these historic institutions to match Red Bull’s design.
Fans of Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund have been particularly vocal in their hatred of RB Leipzig – the German club under the Red Bull umbrella – and criticized Klopp on social media. Mainz supporters used the Bundesliga meeting with Leipzig as an opportunity to produce a series of banners bashing his former coach and player.
After hearing everyone else’s unfavorable opinion, Klopp gave his own opinion. “I really don’t know what exactly I could have done to make everyone happy,” said the German coach Just lick it off podcast, hosted by Toni Kroos and his brother Felix.
Jürgen Klopp ➡️ Red Bull! 🪽@jacob_culshaw reveals the real reason why the former Liverpool manager joined the sporting giants. 👀 pic.twitter.com/dtEmUOGatl
— 90min (@90min_Futbol) October 9, 2024
“I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes, definitely not, and I personally love all my former clubs,” explained Klopp.
By announcing his Shock exit in Liverpoolthe enigmatic coach assured that he was “running out of energy”. Many wondered how that might be the case given his appointment at Red Bull, which will start from January 2025, six months after leaving Merseyside.
“I’m 57 years old, so I can still work for another couple of years, but at the moment I don’t see myself on the sidelines (as a manager),” reasoned Klopp. “But it was always clear that he wasn’t going to do anything. And then this story with Red Bull came on the scene, and for me it’s exceptional.”
About the details of his role at Red BullKlopp told the Kroos brothers: “Basically, I’m an adviser. Hopefully I can bring calm in different ways and in other situations assess things correctly and help the coaches.
“But I just want to support, not interfere, because I know how disruptive this is. Instead, I want to pass on my experience and work in the world I know best.”
