Borussia Dortmund hero to confront Jurgen Klopp over Red Bull role: 'I'll tell him it's c**p'
Kevin Grosskreutz played under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund and was shocked and saddened by the news his former boss is set to join Red Bull as Head of Soccer in January
by Scott Trotter · The MirrorJurgen Klopp favourite Kevin Grosskreutz is set to confront his former boss after his decision to join Red Bull in 2025.
The ex-Liverpool boss is set to become the group's new Head of Soccer in the new year as his life in football away from Anfield gets underway. Klopp will oversee a number of clubs including RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.
While Klopp's latest move sees him step away from the dugout as he intended following his Liverpool exit, his arrival at Red Bull has caused a stir in his homeland. Dortmund fans are frustrated by the move, with Leipzig maligned after Red Bull bypassed the Bundesliga's 50+1 rule in acquiring the club.
Grosskreutz, who made 236 appearances under Klopp at Dortmund, is frustrated by his previous manager's decision. The ex-Germany international intends to speak his mind next time he sees Klopp, having recently joined him for Lukasz piszczek's farewell match at the W estfalenstadion.
“Somehow it still hasn’t really sunk in. I was hoping it was fake news. It was a shock, and sad too,” Sky report him saying on the Viertelstunde Fußball podcast, per Sport Witness.
"But as a fan, I don’t have to see him in front of the Süd anymore. When we meet, I’ll tell him personally that I think it’s crap that he does something like that."
Klopp is said to have made a commitment to join Red Bull, while still in charge of Liverpool, in a meeting with the company's late founder Dietrich Mateschitz. The 57-year-old is also believed to have a clause that will release him from his contract to take charge of Germany's national team.
Nevertheless, Klopp appears to be excited for his new role. He said: “After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this.
"The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not. By joining Red Bull at a global level, I want to develop, improve and support the incredible football talent that we have at our disposal.
"There are many ways that we can do this front using the elite knowledge and experience that Red Bull possesses to learning from other sports and other industries. Together we can discover what is possible.
"I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately, I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more."
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