Borussia Dortmund chief responds to Jurgen Klopp's new job after fan backlash
Jurgen Klopp has ended his break from football by taking a job with Red Bull - a decision which has sparked a backlash among supporters of his old club Borussia Dortmund
by Felix Keith · The MirrorBorussia Dortmund’s chief executive has sent his best wishes to Jurgen Klopp, despite many of the club’s fans feeling betrayed by his choice of job.
Klopp has joined Red Bull as global head of soccer, five months after stepping down as Liverpool manager. The 57-year-old left the Reds saying he had “run out of energy” and after 23 years of continuous management with Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool, he has moved into a different role.
Klopp has spoken of his excitement to try and shape the next generation of talent at Red Bull, who own RB Leipzig, Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and Bragantino in Brazil, but his decision has sparked a backlash in Germany. The Red Bull ownership system is hugely controversial because the drinks giant bypassed the Bundesliga's 50+1 rule when buying SSV Markranstadt in 2009.
During his time as Dortmund boss, Klopp bought into the club’s fan-owned ethos and his move to Red Bull has left some supporters disillusioned. However, Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has a different perspective, telling Sky Sports: "For me, it was no surprise because we had spoken about it personally. I wish Jurgen, as always, good luck in his new job."
Speaking in 2017, Klopp criticised the multi-club ownership model which Red Bull has popularised. " I'm a football romantic and I like tradition in football and all that stuff,” he said. “In Germany, only two clubs sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' before the game and that is Mainz and Dortmund."
He appears to have renounced those beliefs upon joining the Red Bull structure in a very senior role. “After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” he said. “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."
Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff is delighted with the coup of landing one of the most sought-after brains in football. “We are very proud of this outstanding and certainly the strongest signing in Red Bull's soccer history,” he said. “Jurgen Klopp is one of the greatest and most influential figures in world soccer, with extraordinary skills and charisma.
"In his role as head of soccer, he will be a game changer for our involvement in international soccer and its continued development. We are hoping for valuable and decisive impulses in key areas to make the clubs even better, both collectively and individually."
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