Jurgen Klopp has defended his controversial new job as the global head of soccer at Red Bull.
The appointment, made earlier this month, effectively ends the former Liverpool manager’s days of pacing dugouts, giving way to flashy board rooms after over two decades as a manager.
Red Bull own several clubs worldwide, including RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga and MLS side New York Red Bulls. They also sponsor Red Bull Salzburg. Klopp is expected to hold a crucial role, and have a significant amount of influence, in each of these camps.
His decision has however been met with controversy, with Red Bull causing controversy in German football when the company took over SSV Markranstadt and turned the club into RB Leipzig.
Now, he has hit back at critics, claiming he could not take any other opinions into consideration when making the decision for the next phase of his career.
Jurgen Klopp has defended his controversial new job with Red Bull after receiving backlash
Klopp is now global head of soccer at the company and is expected have a significant amount of influence at all sides
Speaking on Toni Kroos’ podcast, Klopp said: ‘You cannot make your decision depending on what reactions there will be.
‘I did not want to step on anyone’s toes. I love all my former clubs, but I don’t know what I could have done so that everyone is happy.
‘I am 57 and can still work a few more years, but I did not see myself on the sidelines for now. It was clear for me that I would do something – so then Red Bull came.’
‘I can’t poll the fans and ask them, ‘what should I do?’ If I had gone to Bayern [Munich], there would have been a huge outcry in Dortmund,’ he added.
‘What should I do? I want to keep working. If you organise your life around trying to please everyone, you’ll find you fail every day.’
Klopp will not be involved in day-to-day operations at these clubs and he will instead act as an advisor on their playing philosophy, transfer strategy and coaching development.
In layman’s terms, he will spearhead their strategic vision. Red Bull’s vast global scouting operation will also fall inside his wheelhouse.
The former manager has admitted that he did not take other opinions into consideraton
He also reinstated that he no longer wants to be a coach having left the Reds earlier this year
Klopp will also be reunited with his old assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, who is in charge of stable side Leipzig
His next move had been unclear after he left Liverpool at the end of last season, but it took just a matter on months for things to play out.
He will now be reunited with former assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, who is in charge of Leipzig.
He also confirmed that he does not see himself returning to management, meaning his spell with Liverpool will likely be his final role in a dugout.
‘My only real option would have been to become a coach of a national side,’ he said. ‘But I don’t want to be a coach any more.’