Jurgen Klopp has severed ties with Red Bull upon being named Germany’s new head coach.
Klopp was previously contracted as Red Bull’s ‘head of global soccer’ an incredibly unpopular decision in Germany.
Red Bull, and particularly Bundesliga side Leipzig, are seen as the antithesis of everything German football stands for.
Former sides Borussia Dortmund and Mainz laid into Klopp for the switch, with the latter even making a money-grabbing effigy of him at their annual carnival.
There were even fears that Klopp would keep his Red Bull roles intact as Germany coach, with the thought of a winged cap horrifying fans.
Klopp ends his relationship with Red Bull
Now, though, it’s been confirmed that he is no longer associated with the energy drink brand.
Appearing alongside the new coach at a press conference, federation president Bernd Neuendorf announced that Klopp will ‘no longer hold any position at Red Bull’.
He also added that no transfer fee was paid, despite a reported €19million get out clause in his contract.
Neuendorf did, however, announce that the DFB would be donating €1m to Red Bull’s ‘Wings for Life’ charity organisation.
He also announced that Klopp’s deal runs through to the end of the 2030 World Cup.
He added: “He was our preferred solution from the very beginning, and we in the association were very much in agreement that he was the candidate we needed to talk to.
“We pursued this concept very intensively together with Hans-Joachim Watzke. We were convinced that he was the best solution.”
Klopp also joked about his Red Bull involvement when he was asked if he’d keep picking Bayern Munich players despite his long-time rivalry with the club.
He responded: “Bayern don’t need to worry that I, Aki Watzke and Sven Bender are now here and we’ll only invite Dortmund players, which would be funny…
“Or because I once worked at Red Bull, only Leipzig players, phew… even though they have some very good ones.”
Fan groups slam Klopp’s potential Red Bull involvement
Rumours of Klopp continuing to work with Red Bull caused outrage before the deal was even announced.
Fan alliance Unsere Kurve (Our Curve) had reminded the German federation [DFB] of that in a strong statement.
Spokesperson Thomas Kessen told SID: “This would be another capitulation to capital.
“Instead of recognising the unique characteristics of German football as a strength and building sustainable success on this foundation, they strive for quick results and are prepared to pay for them with a lot of money and integrity.”
He added on Klopp in particular: “We do see a dissonance surrounding the public perception of Jurgen Klopp.
“Anyone who acted down-to-earth in Mainz and Dortmund and even introduced himself as ‘the normal one’ in Liverpool doesn’t fit in with the enemy of the people’s sport of football – the RB corporation.
“Before Klopp is elevated to a pedestal as a supposed saviour, Unsere Kurve wants to remind everyone of the reactions and the lost credibility, especially among the Dortmund supporters.”
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