Jurgen Klopp has defended his contentious decision to take on a new role at Leeds United’s minority shareholders Red Bull. The former Liverpool manager has faced widespread criticism since his hiring as director of soccer at the Austrian firm, particularly from fans of his old team, Borussia Dortmund.
Red Bull owns Red Bull Salzburg, the New York Red Bulls, and the Brazilian team Red Bull Bragantino. It also purchased a share in the Whites earlier this year. They are also the club’s shirt sponsors for the 2024/25 season.
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Klopp remarked on former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid footballer Toni Kroos’ podcast: “You can’t base your choice on how people react. I didn’t want to step on anybody’s toes. I adore all of my past clubs, but I’m not sure what I could have done to make everyone happy. I’m 57 years old and can still work for a few more years, but I don’t see myself on the sidelines right now. It was evident to me that I would do something, and then Red Bull arrived.”
The German will formally begin his new post in January. “I cannot poll the supporters and ask them, ‘What should I do?’ If I had gone to Bayern [Munich], there would have been a great outcry in Dortmund,” said Klopp, who dismissed the possibility of him returning to management in the future.
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