Jurgen Klopp’s recent appointment as Red Bull’s new head of football has sparked significant controversy in Germany, particularly among Borussia Dortmund supporters. One of the most outspoken critics is former Borussia Dortmund player Kevin Grosskreutz, who played over 200 matches under Klopp during the club’s golden era, where they won consecutive Bundesliga titles and reached the UEFA Champions League final.
The decision to appoint Klopp, who previously managed Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, has been met with backlash, particularly because Klopp will oversee Red Bull’s football operations, including RB Leipzig—a club that has long been disliked by traditional football fans across Germany. RB Leipzig’s formation was controversial due to Red Bull circumventing the Bundesliga’s 50+1 ownership rule, which limits external ownership of clubs, making them unpopular among purists.
Kevin Grosskreutz, a close friend and former player of Klopp, didn’t hold back his feelings on the decision. Speaking on his podcast, Viertelstunde Fussball, Grosskreutz expressed shock and disappointment at the news, saying, “I woke up to 30 messages on my phone. At first, I thought it was a joke or fake news, but two hours later, it was confirmed. I still can’t fully comprehend it.”
The 36-year-old, who still plays in Germany’s fifth division, has a long-standing relationship with Klopp but remains disheartened by the move. Despite recently being coached by Klopp during a farewell match for Dortmund legends Jakub Blaszczykowski and Lukasz Piszczek at Westfalenstadion, Grosskreutz was blunt in his disapproval. “As a football fan, I think it’s terrible. But as his friend, I have to respect his decision.”
Grosskreutz highlighted his frustration with Klopp joining Red Bull, especially given the tension between RB Leipzig and traditional German football fans. However, his respect and admiration for Klopp on a personal level remain intact, as he acknowledged, “I owe him a lot and will always be grateful to him. But I’ll still tell him personally that I think it’s wrong.”
The appointment of Klopp at Red Bull comes at a time when German football is grappling with the impact of commercialism, with many fans seeing RB Leipzig as a symbol of the erosion of the traditional football culture in the country. Borussia Dortmund supporters, in particular, have voiced their disappointment in seeing their former hero align with a club they view as a corporate outlier.
Jurgen Klopp’s decision has undoubtedly raised eyebrows across the football world, with some questioning the impact this move could have on his legacy in Germany. His storied career with Borussia Dortmund earned him a place in the hearts of fans, and his later success with Liverpool only solidified his status as one of the world’s top managers. However, his involvement with Red Bull now places him in a controversial spotlight.
Klopp’s former player Grosskreutz is not alone in expressing concern over the decision, as many Borussia Dortmund fans feel betrayed by his new role. It remains to be seen how Klopp will navigate this controversy and what impact it will have on his relationship with his former club and its supporters.
