Former Borussia Dortmund star Kevin Grosskreutz has expressed his disappointment with Jurgen Klopp’s decision to take on the role of global head of soccer at Red Bull. This move has not gone down well with many Dortmund fans, who hold strong sentiments against the Red Bull model in football.
Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, announced earlier this week that he is looking forward to learning about the game again when he officially begins his new position on January 1. He emphasized that, despite not envisioning himself returning to the sidelines, he still has a passion for football and sees Red Bull as the ideal platform to share his experiences and knowledge.
In a video posted on Instagram, Klopp stated, “A few months ago I said I don’t see myself on the sidelines anymore, and that’s still the case, but I still love football and still love working, and Red Bull gives me the perfect platform for that.” He went on to elaborate on his career journey, detailing the ups and downs he has experienced while managing clubs, and mentioned his desire to learn and contribute to the evolution of the game.
Red Bull’s football empire includes several teams, such as German club RB Leipzig, Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls, and Brazilian clubs Red Bull Bragantino and Red Bull Brasil. Their involvement in football has often drawn criticism from fans, particularly in Germany, where many believe the model undermines traditional club values.
Grosskreutz, who played under Klopp at Dortmund, expressed his shock at the announcement. “I woke up, I had 30 messages on my phone and I thought: What happened? I thought I was dreaming, then I hoped it was fake news. Two hours later it was official. It was pretty shocking and sad. Somehow it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he shared.
Reflecting on the decision, Grosskreutz added, “I don’t think anyone was expecting it. It’s very, very strange and I can’t really comprehend it yet. It’s like shock! Nevertheless, he’s a friend of mine and I owe him a lot. And I will always be grateful to him. As a football fan, I think it sucks, to put it bluntly! But as a friend, you have to accept decisions being made. When we meet, I’ll still tell him personally that I think it’s shit that he does something like that!”
This candid commentary from Grosskreutz highlights the tension between personal relationships and professional choices in the world of football, particularly in a climate where fans are increasingly vocal about their allegiances and values.