'Sold his soul': X users slam Jurgen Klopp for taking Red Bull job
- Klopp to take over as Red Bull's head of global soccer
- Move has left many fans confused and Borussia Dortmund supporters frustrated
- The model used by RB Leipzig goes against grain of traditional German ownership
By Tom Gott
Jurgen Klopp is heading back to work, signing on as Red Bull's head of global soccer.
The former Liverpool boss will get back in the seat from January 2025 in a role which will oversee Red Bull's widespread network of clubs, including Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.
It's a move which has divided opinion on social media. Leipzig have a... unique standing among supporters in Germany, many of whom despise the Red Bull-backed outfit for going against the 50+1 rule. That's before their organic rivalry with Klopp's former employers Borussia Dortmund comes into the equation.
Dortmund fans took to social media to question Klopp's decision to link up with Red Bull, with many wondering why it was so easy for him to join a rival organisation when he had previously insisted he wanted at least one year out of work.
Jürgen Klopp already receiving a negative reaction amongst German supporters for his RB move and it’s hardly surprising.
— Cameron Smith (@_Camjsmith) October 9, 2024
Not just getting involved in one of the most divisive footballing projects, but also a direct rival of #BVB in RB Leipzig.
Interested to see how it pans out.
Given Borussia Dortmund's complete rejection of the Red Bull model of club whitewashing, and Jurgen Klopp's long history there, it's a bit disappointing and dispiriting to see him lead that project as its flagship employee.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) October 9, 2024
Technically what Klopp did isn't ethically wrong at all but wow a lot of his fans (especially german) are gonna hate him 💀
— Rohani_alip 🇲🇾 🇮🇩 (@rohani_alip) October 9, 2024
Going from 2 of the most culturally heavy european clubs to RED BULL is crazy dawg
"You have no energy left and want a break, then switch to RB? I recognise a pattern," one supporter wrote, recalling Klopp's decision to join Liverpool just four months after promising to take a sabbatical after leaving Dortmund in 2015.
"I'm so broken, what is Klopp doing?" another wrote, with many fans insisting Klopp is now "dead" to them after accepting the controversial new position.
Klopp was branded a "hypocrite" and a "sell-out" by others who claimed to see similarities between this move and Jordan Henderson's exit from Liverpool to Saudi Arabia, alleging the pair both abandoned their principals in search of money.
Elsewhere, fans and critics of Klopp from his time at Liverpool also joined in the frustrations.
Wow, Klopp is about to go from being one of the most popular men in Germany to one of the most hated #klopp https://t.co/Qtf0eIUQrN
— craftbeerandfootball (@footballhops21) October 9, 2024
#klopp could have everything but choose #redbull 🤯🤦
— Torben Justifer (@TorbenJustifer) October 9, 2024
That’s an incredible decision by Klopp given what the response to it was always going to be and how broad his options in football are.
— Seb Stafford-Bloor (@SebSB) October 9, 2024
Surprised to see Jurgen Klopp back in football so soon, but also didn't envisage him taking on such a corporate role. Didn't think that was his thing.
— Matthew Burgess (@1matthewburgess) October 9, 2024
It's not Klopp's fault he can't live up to an entirely fabricated persona that was projected onto him by a gullible fanbase. He was always going to end up disappointing people.
— Chris Taylor (@christotaylo) October 9, 2024
Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, however, took a diplomatic approach to Klopp's new role, telling Sky: "It was no surprise to me because we talked about it personally. I wish Jurgen, as always, luck in his new job."
Watzke has a lengthy history with Leipzig, having publicly criticised the team and the entire Red Bull operation, accusing them of using Leipzig simply "to sell cans of soda", which strengthened the rivalry between the two clubs.
I see Klopp soon got over the ‘multi-club’ model he protested about so much.
— BobbyGraham (@BobbyGraham5) October 9, 2024
Klopp sold his soul? Didn’t see that coming.
— ZP (@ZPAFC) October 9, 2024
Klopp wanted break from for football for one year, but he's back in 6-7 months, and that's show he didn't wanted to work under FSG anymore.
— Shubham (@breathelfc) October 9, 2024
I'm surprised at Klopp taking that job considering his thoughts on multi club ownership but you know I guess he changed his mind 😉
— Kaz (@Kazziwaz) October 9, 2024
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