Jurgen Klopp has excitedly stepped into the , a move arriving just five months after he hung up his managerial hat at . The Borussia Dortmund faithful might be feeling the sting, yet their CEO bore no grudges, extending good wishes for Klopp's latest endeavor.
At 57 years young and citing dwindling energies as his cue to depart from the Reds, Klopp is , including RB Leipzig, Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, and Bragantino. This new chapter for the German does stir some debate back home, given Red Bull's contentious tactics in sidestepping the Bundesliga's traditional 50+1 rule during their acquisition of SSV Markranstadt in 2009.
Nevertheless, Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke disclosed to with no hint of shock. "For me, it was no surprise because we had spoken about it personally," he said. "I wish Jurgen, as always, good luck with his new job."
Adding a twist to the tale, Klopp had once back in 2017, nostalgically noting: "I'm a football romantic and I like tradition in football and all that stuff. In Germany, only two clubs sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' before the game and that is Mainz and Dortmund."
That sentiment has seemingly changed as he embraces a key role within Red Bull's ever-growing soccer empire. "After almost 25 years on the sideline, I couldn't be more excited to get involved in a project like this," Klopp expressed. "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 from using the elite knowledge and experience that Red Bull possesses to learning from other sports and other industries.
"Together we can discover what's possible. I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately, I'm one part of an organization that's unique, innovative and forward looking and, as I said, this could not excite me more."
Liverpool.com says: Klopp has taken a role that makes sense for him given he still wants to work but doesn't want the stresses of day-to-day club management. The Red Bull role will give him exactly that and a chance to work in an exciting project, even if it might be slightly controversial in Germany.
