Jurgen Klopp is one of the biggest stories in Germany right now, not just for his controversial punditry work, but also his job at Red Bull.
The former Liverpool manager has caused some bad headlines for criticising the German national team at the World Cup, but it’s now his role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer that’s causing issues.
During his first TV appearance of the tournament Sky Germany broke the story that Klopp and the global team had managed to push through the sacking of Ole Werner at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
Werner was then sacked, with Klopp admitting involvement after reports claimed the club itself was happy with Werner’s Champions League finish.
One of Klopp’s former Mainz teammates and Leipzig expert Guido Schäfer has now shed some light on the matter, making some stark claims.
First, he explained that Werner had begun ignoring Klopp’s interference.
Klopp’s role undermined Leipzig’s coach
“Ole Werner knew there would be interference from the global team. Advice, suggestions for improvement,” he told Sport1.
“Klopp and Co. thought that Ole Werner would enthusiastically accept and implement all of it.
“At some point, Ole lost interest in the tips and instructions from Klopp and Co., and then apparently let the contact cool down somewhat.
“He was almost let go twice. Marcel Schäfer, the boss in Leipzig, intervened and kept him on.
“But I think it had been clear for months that the first season would also be the last. And what is Jurgen Klopp saying on television now? What is he supposed to say?
“Officially, they’re not even allowed to make any decisions. It was then announced by Marcel Schäfer.”
Klopp accused of breaking Bundesliga rule
Asked why Klopp isn’t allowed to make decisions, Schäfer cited German football’s holy ’50+1 rule’ where fans have to own more than half of the clubs.
Leipzig had restructured their management to get around the rule, and, according to Schäfer, involvement from the Global Team would go against that agreement.
“They have to sell it that way. Because of the 50+1 rule, the global team led by Jurgen Klopp isn’t allowed to make any decisions,” he explained.
“But one thing is clear: when it comes to coaches and major decisions, Klopp and his colleagues naturally have the blessing of Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff. They certainly have a considerable say.
“If it had been solely up to Marcel Schäfer, Ole Werner might have had a second season. Although Schäfer wasn’t exactly a huge fan of Ole Werner himself.
“The football was a bit uneventful. Successful, yes, but rarely attractive, rarely intense. Schäfer had offered to provide him with a capable assistant for the upcoming season. Ole Werner, in turn, didn’t want that.
“To put it bluntly: no major decisions are made without Klopp and his colleagues, neither in Leipzig nor in Salzburg. That’s by design.
“But what I find appalling is the way Ole Werner has been treated. Someone has been repeatedly feeding various media outlets intimate details that have no place in the public sphere.
“These details focused on what Ole Werner supposedly can’t do, what Klopp and his colleagues criticise about him. This has hurt and damaged everyone.
“I don’t know what the moral justification or added value is supposed to be in spreading such information, which probably didn’t originate in Leipzig, but perhaps somewhere in Fuschl am See (Red Bull HQ).
“Ole Werner was damaged, the international team was damaged, and not least, Marcel Schäfer as well.”
Leave a Reply