Mainz supporters delivered a fierce message to their former manager, Jurgen Klopp, during a Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig. The display followed Klopp’s controversial decision to join Red Bull as the Head of Global Soccer. Starting January 1, Klopp will oversee Red Bull’s global football operations, including clubs such as RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, and Red Bull Salzburg, in addition to supporting the company’s scouting network and coach development programs.
Klopp, who ended his tenure at Liverpool at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, expressed great enthusiasm for the new role, saying he “could not be more excited” to embark on this fresh challenge. However, the move has sparked backlash, particularly in Germany, where fans and football figures alike have raised concerns over his involvement with Red Bull, a brand known for its controversial entrance into football.
During Saturday’s match in Mainz, where Klopp spent several years as a player and manager, the local supporters did not hold back. Banners were prominently displayed in the stadium, expressing disappointment and disbelief at Klopp’s association with Red Bull. One banner asked bluntly, “Have you forgotten everything we made you become?” Another banner added, “Are you crazy?” A third banner appeared to reference a past quote from Klopp: “I like people up to the point where they disappoint me,” clearly aimed at conveying a sense of betrayal.
Klopp’s decision comes after years of making statements that indicated his disapproval of the corporate takeover of football. Notably, in 2017, Klopp voiced his concerns, emphasizing his preference for tradition in the game. “I’m a football romantic, and I like tradition in football. In Germany, only two clubs sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before the game – Mainz and Dortmund,” he had said, underscoring his affinity for clubs with deep-rooted fan culture.
Red Bull’s influence in football, particularly with RB Leipzig, has long been controversial in Germany. When Red Bull took over SSV Markranstadt, a fifth-division club, and rebranded it into RB Leipzig, many fans and football purists in Germany reacted negatively. RB Leipzig’s rise through the ranks, heavily financed by the energy drink giant, has been viewed by many as a symbol of modern football’s shift towards commercialization at the expense of tradition.
The backlash isn’t limited to fans. Klopp’s former player, Kevin Großkreutz, who was with Klopp during his successful stint at Borussia Dortmund, shared his disbelief and disappointment. Speaking on the Viertelstunde Fußball podcast, Großkreutz revealed that the news left him stunned. “I woke up to 30 messages on my phone. I thought it was fake news, but two hours later it was official. It’s pretty shocking and sad. I still can’t fully comprehend it,” he said.
Despite his personal feelings of disappointment, Großkreutz acknowledged Klopp as a friend and mentor, expressing gratitude for the role Klopp has played in his career. He candidly admitted, “As a football fan, I think it sucks, to put it bluntly. But as a friend, you have to accept the decisions being made.”
This episode reflects the complex relationship between football’s corporate expansion and its deep-rooted fan traditions. Klopp’s move to Red Bull, a brand that represents the commercialization of the sport, contrasts sharply with the values he once held dear, leaving many to wonder how this new chapter will affect his legacy, especially among his supporters in Germany.
Klopp’s entry into the multi-club system overseen by Red Bull has cast a shadow on his otherwise revered status in the football community. His long-standing affection for tradition and fan culture now seems at odds with the very nature of his new role. For Mainz supporters, who saw Klopp as one of their own, this move appears to have left an indelible mark, leading them to question not only his decision but the values he now represents.
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