Jurgen Klopp Defends Decision to Join Red Bull Amid Criticism

Jurgen Klopp, the former Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool manager, recently became Head of Soccer Development of the Red Bull group. Fans in Germany see the move as hypocritical, arguing that Red Bulls exploits loopholes in the German football system to gain unique advantages over other clubs. Klopp had previously been a critic of a similar model.

Klopp officially ended his 9-year stint at Liverpool at the end of the 2024 Premier League season — leaving the club as a legend. He took them from languishing in mid-table to European and Premier League champions in just a few years — their first domestic title in nearly 30 years.

After he left Liverpool, he wanted to remain in the football world without the stress that comes with managing an elite football club. Now, he has exactly that in his new position at the Red Bull group.

Fans in Germany were so upset that Mainz fans, a club Klopp managed before Borussia Dortmund, unfurled a banner in the stands saying “Have you forgotten everything we made you become?”

The “Red Bulls model” allows Red Bull-affiliated clubs (in Germany’s case, Red Bulls Leipzig) to receive funds directly from the energy drink makers, allowing them a financial advantage and enabling Red Bulls Leipzig to achieve promotion to the German Bundesliga in 2016 quickly.

Klopp yesterday appeared on a podcast with former Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos to defend his decision.:

“You cannot make your decision depending on what reactions there will be. I am 57 and can still work a few more years. But I did not see myself on the sidelines for now. It was clear for me that I would do something. So then Red Bull came. For me it is outstanding.

I did not want to step on anyone’s toes — I love all my former clubs. But I don’t know what I could have done so that everyone is happy.”