Jurgen Klopp has hit back at criticism from fans of his former clubs over taking a job at Red Bull. The former Liverpool boss will become the group’s head of global football in January 2025, prompting a strong reaction from supporters of Borussia Dortmund and Mainz.

Red Bull’s presence in the Bundesliga, where they have RB Leipzig, is hugely contentious in Germany. Leipzig were founded in 2009 and are able to work around the league’s 50+1 rule. There are fewer than 20 members and they are all Red Bull employees.

Dortmund fans protested over Klopp’s decision to join their rivals. Meanwhile, Mainz ultras flew a banner over the stadium when they faced Leipzig after the news broke. The strong message read: “Did you forget everything we made you become?”

The 57-year-old has now spoken about his decision to join Red Bull for the first time. He was a guest on Einfach mal Luppen, a podcast hosted by former Germany midfielder Toni Kroos and his brother, Felix.

“I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes, absolutely not. And I love all of my former clubs,” Klopp told the Kroos brothers. “But I don’t really know what I could have done to make everyone happy.”

Opening up on how his role will work, he added: “It was always clear, well, clear to me, that I wouldn’t do nothing. And then the Red Bull story came up. And it was an outstanding (option), and I have to be honest about that.

“Basically, I’m an advisor. Hopefully I can bring calm in different ways and, in other situations, assess things correctly and help the coaches.

“But I just want to support, not interfere, because I know how disruptive that is. Instead, I want to pass on my experience and work in the world that I know best.”

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