Ex-Klopp favourite plans to tell him exactly what he thinks of Red Bull move

Jurgen Klopp’s decision to become Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer has proven controversial at the very least.

After leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, citing tiredness and burnout, Klopp indicated that a return to management any time soon wouldn’t be his priority.

He did spend the summer not entirely ruling out a return to football, however. With the emerging story that he may have agreed on this role back in 2022 after a meeting with late Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, it makes sense.

Read more: 'Stupid' Van Dijk savaged for Netherlands red card

Red Bull have refuted the claims of this meeting between the pair. 

Reports have also emerged that Klopp will be pocketing an eye-watering €10m-12m per year for the role.

The backlash to this has been rife, with critics saying that it goes against the image Klopp has presented of himself as a football traditionalist. Red Bull have long been criticised for bringing a capitalist intrusion to Germany’s fan-run football culture.

Grosskreutz speaks out against Klopp

Speaking on his podcast

Viertelstunde Fußball

, former Borussia Dortmund player and Liverpool-linked Kevin Grosskreutz has been incredibly critical of Klopp’s decision. Grosskreutz played under the manager between 2009-2015, almost his entire time at Dortmund.

"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," the World Cup winner said, “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 shit that he does something like that!”

Grosskreutz made 176 appearances under Klopp at Dortmund. For a person who was clearly so close to the manager and had developed a trusting relationship to be so intensely critical demonstrates the significance of this decision by Klopp.

Whether you think he’s ruined his legacy or not, it is clear that this decision will have ramifications around the football world for years to come.