A former Borussia Dortmund player says it is "sh*t" that his old coach Jurgen Klopp has accepted Red Bull's job offer.
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Klopp leaves Liverpool in 2024Ex-Dortmund boss joins Red BullFormer player slams manager's decisionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Former Liverpool boss Klopp was announced as Red Bull's new Global Head of Soccer earlier this week, prompting a backlash from fans who weren't happy about the decision. Now, Kevin Grosskreutz – who made 176 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Dortmund under Klopp – has admitted he is "in shock" over the German's move.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT KEVIN GROSSKREUTZ SAID
He said on his Viertelstunde Fußball podcast: "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.
"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 sh*t that he does something like that!”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Red Bull brand is not at all popular in Germany, partly due to the commercial setup they have implemented at RB Leipzig and how many see it as antithetical to the nation's football values. So for Klopp to join the company just weeks after he returned to his beloved Dortmund for a testimonial match will be a slap in the face for many football supporters.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
Reports suggest Klopp has signed a long-term contract with Red Bull and will start his new post in January 2025. He is set to support the coaches of RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, and other teams in the Red Bull network.