Jurgen Klopp rejected emotional RETURN before joining Red Bull

Jurgen Klopp caused shockwaves in the world of football last week when he was unveiled as Red Bull’s new Global Head of Football. 

After nine years as Liverpool manager, Klopp took a sabbatical with it being widely expected that he would stay away from the game for a prolonged period. 

Read more: Klopp's incredible Red Bull salary revealed

Just a few months later however and it’s been confirmed that the 57-year-old is back at work, officially taking up the reins in January 2025. 

The move has not been without controversy with some claims suggesting that Klopp agreed the deal to take over at Red Bull back in 2022 while still Liverpool manager. 

Klopp REJECTS Dortmund

Furthermore, Klopp’s new posting has been criticised by many within German football including one of his old favourite players at Borussia Dortmund in Kevin Grosskreutz. 

Klopp’s legacy in Dortmund is just as big as it is in Liverpool, winning two Bundesliga titles and reaching the Champions League final back in 2013. 

His decision to join Red Bull therefore has left a bitter taste in the mouths of some at the Westfalenstadion. 

And now it’s been suggested that Klopp DECLINED the opportunity to return to the club once his Liverpool days were over in favour of making the move to Red Bull. 

A new report in Bild states that Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke offered Klopp the opportunity to take any job he liked at the club when his time at Liverpool came to an end. 

According to the report, the offer was made about two and a half years ago, when Klopp was still very much in charge at Anfield. 

He could have returned as coach, to the board room and Watzke even offered Klopp the chance to take on a job tailored especially for him. 

But the chief executive was rebuffed in his efforts to reclaim Klopp, with the manager stating that he would prefer not to work with just one club in his next role. 

“He wanted to learn new things, gain experience and gain broader insights,” the report states. 

Moving to Red Bull was bad enough in the eyes of many Dortmund fans, finding out that he SPURNED their club in favour of a move to the energy drink giant is unlikely to go down any better.