The recent announcement of Jürgen Klopp as global director of football for the Red Bull Group from January 2025 has sparked a wave of outrage in Germany. The former Reds coach, who enjoys an exceptional reputation thanks to his stints at Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool, is criticized for joining a company perceived as the symbol of “football business”. Der Spiegel And T-online.de
denounce this choice, some fans going so far as to describe it as
” treason “ and“abandonment of one’s values”, in reference to his image as a charismatic and authentic football figure.
A radical change for Klopp
By joining the Red Bull group, Jürgen Klopp, once acclaimed for his commitment to popular clubs, is moving away from the values of romantic football to embrace the money machine that Red Bull represents in Germany, notably with clubs like RB Leipzig. Critics also point to his turn towards sports capitalism, which contrasts with the principles he publicly defended. This decision risks tarnishing his image among Borussia Dortmund fans, who consider him a legend.
