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Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has become the subject of satirical mockery at the Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) carnival parade in Mainz, where he has been depicted in a float with wings made of banknotes while clutching a can of Red Bull energy drink and a football.

The float represents growing criticism from German football fans over Klopp’s decision to join Red Bull as head of global football operations, a move many see as a betrayal of his once-cherished football values.

The float, unveiled as part of Mainz’s traditional carnival parade, portrays Klopp adorned with wings crafted entirely from euro banknotes, symbolizing what critics perceive as his financially motivated career move.

Because Red Bull lures with a lot of money, he is now falling off his pedestal with a crash.”

This stinging critique encapsulates the sentiment felt by many German football supporters who once viewed Klopp as a champion of traditional football values.

The satirical creation is one of ten themed floats featured in the parade, each made from a combination of styrofoam, steel, and papier-mâché.

Each float costs approximately 15,000 euros (£12,400) to produce, representing a significant investment in this cultural tradition of social commentary.

The Mainz carnival parade, particularly the Rosenmontag celebration, has a long-standing tradition of social commentary through its elaborate floats.

This cultural event provides a platform for expressing public opinion on current affairs, with Klopp now finding himself among those targeted for criticism.

Central to understanding the backlash against Jurgen Klopp is recognizing the controversial position Red Bull occupies in German football culture.

RB Leipzig, financially backed by Red Bull, has been labeled “the most hated club in Germany” by many observers.

The club’s rapid ascent through the divisions to reach the Bundesliga, powered by Red Bull’s considerable investment, has been deeply unpopular with traditional German football fans.

The controversy centers around Germany’s cherished 50+1 rule, which ensures that clubs are majority-owned by their members, typically the fans?

This system of fan ownership is considered fundamental to German football culture, preserving clubs as community institutions rather than commercial entities or marketing vehicles.

While Red Bull technically doesn’t own RB Leipzig due to these regulations, their substantial financial backing and influence have allowed the club to circumvent the spirit of this rule in the eyes of many critics.

Read More: Jurgen Klopp responds to fan backlash over Red Bull move