Jurgen Klopp's Red Bull Move Riles Borussia Dortmund Fans
Jurgen Klopp, one of the most revered figures in modern football, has taken on a new role as the head of global soccer for Red Bull, and this decision has sparked controversy, particularly among Borussia Dortmund supporters. Klopp, who left Liverpool at the end of last season citing exhaustion, will now oversee Red Bull's extensive network of football clubs, which includes RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, and others across the world. This move, while seen as a public relations coup for Red Bull, has not been well-received by his former fans in Germany, especially given the tensions surrounding the Red Bull organization in German football.
Red Bull's involvement in football has long been a source of contention. Since acquiring lower-tier German club SSV Markranstädt and transforming it into RB Leipzig in 2009, Red Bull has been accused of sidestepping the "50+1" ownership rule in Germany, which is designed to keep clubs democratically owned by fans. By keeping voting rights in the hands of just a few, mostly Red Bull-linked individuals, the company has drawn heavy criticism, with RB Leipzig often referred to as one of the most disliked clubs in the country.
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For Klopp, who has previously been vocal about his love for football tradition, this shift to Red Bull feels jarring to many. He has been on record expressing his disdain for the commercialization of football and the multi-club model, which makes this new role seem contradictory to his earlier statements. Borussia Dortmund fans, in particular, feel betrayed, as Klopp's tenure at the club from 2008 to 2015 was one of the most successful periods in their recent history. On social media, some fans went as far as calling Klopp a "sellout," questioning how a man so steeped in footballing tradition could now align himself with a corporate giant like Red Bull.
Despite the criticism, Klopp's move is also seen by some as a natural evolution in his career. After nearly 25 years on the sidelines, managing at the top level with both Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, he now steps into a more strategic role. Red Bull's resources and influence in global football present Klopp with a new kind of challenge, allowing him to mentor coaches and develop talent across the company's clubs. The move offers Klopp a break from the day-to-day pressures of football management, something he hinted at when leaving Liverpool.
Not everyone has reacted negatively. Hans-Joachim Watzke, Borussia Dortmund’s CEO, and a close friend of Klopp, has taken a more diplomatic stance, wishing Klopp well and suggesting that it wasn’t entirely unexpected. There is also speculation that Klopp may still return to management, possibly with the German national team, after the 2026 World Cup. With an exit clause reportedly allowing him to leave Red Bull for the Germany job, his story in football may be far from over.
In the end, Klopp’s shift to Red Bull marks a significant chapter in his career, and while the initial backlash from Dortmund fans is strong, his enduring legacy means many will likely forgive this move in time. However, for now, Klopp finds himself walking a fine line between tradition and modern football’s corporate side.
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