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Image Credits: Christoph Kessel (X)

Mainz fans show their anger at Jurgen Klopp who recently accepted a new role at Red Bull.

Its no longer news that Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, is set to begin his new role as the Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull starting January 1, 2025.

The German left Anfield in May 2024, following a nine-year tenure that brought eight major trophies.

Klopp is now embarking on a new chapter in his career, one that he hopes will give him more personal time and less day-to-day pressure.

His new position at Red Bull comes with significant responsibilities.

He will oversee the football operations of a global network that includes RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, and New York Red Bulls.

This is a notable shift for the 57-year-old, who expressed excitement about the new challenge.

The financial side of Klopp’s new role is equally striking, as he will earn between €10-12 million annually.

Red Bull’s CEO, Oliver Mintzlaff, also hailed Klopp’s appointment as “the biggest coup in Red Bull’s soccer history.”

He emphasized the German coach’s ability to bring “valuable and decisive impulses” to the clubs’ development.

Klopp has also negotiated an exit clause in his contract.

This would allow him to leave if a more attractive coaching opportunity, like managing the German national team, comes up in the future.

Klopp’s journey in professional football began at Mainz 05.

There, he spent eighteen years as both a player and coach, guiding them to the Bundesliga for the first time.

His connection to the club runs deep, making recent fan reactions all the more notable.

Why are Red Bull Leipzig disliked in Germany?

As Klopp prepares to start his new role, his association with Red Bull Leipzig has sparked controversy, particularly in his home country of Germany.

Mainz fans have displayed two banners today in their game against RB Leipzig with messages to Jurgen Klopp.

The banners read,

“Have you forgotten everything we made you become?

Are you crazy?”

Another banner displayed an former Jurgen Klopp quote.

“I like people up to the point where they disappoint me.”

This protest reflects broader frustrations with Red Bull’s involvement in German football.

This is particularly through their ownership of RB Leipzig.

The club that has been heavily criticized for its corporate structure and lack of traditional football roots.

In a country where fan ownership and tradition are cherished, Leipzig’s rapid rise—financed by Red Bull’s wealth—has been viewed with suspicion and outright disdain.

As ESPN explained in 2020, “Before 2009, it simply didn’t exist… Red Bull took control of a fifth-division club, SSV Markranstadt.”

“It changed the team’s name and Red Bull’d its colors and logo.”

“It bought a 10-year lease on the city’s 43,000-seat stadium, broke ground on a palatial training facility and began its journey to the top of German football.”

This corporate-driven model has made Leipzig one of the most disliked teams in Germany.

Mainz fans’ banner reflects this sentiment.

Many supporters who admired Klopp’s work at Liverpool and Dortmund may now feel conflicted about his decision to join Red Bull’s soccer empire.

However, for many Mainz supporters, the banner speaks to a broader unease about what this new chapter means for Klopp’s legacy and his connection to football’s grassroots ideals.

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