Jamie Carragher has come out to bat for Jurgen Klopp after the former Liverpool manager has come in for criticism over his new job.
Klopp surprised many in football by announcing that he will become Red Bull’s global head of soccer in January next year.
The 57-year-old will be responsible for the network of Red Bull’s football clubs, including RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls, acting as a consultant on issues such as playing philosophy and player and staff recruitment.
The announcement has not gone down well in certain circles in Germany, with the Red Bull model of multiple clubs and heavy big business backing strongly disliked by many other clubs and fans.
There were protests at the move at Klopp’s former club Mainz, while one of his former Dortmund players, Kevin Grosskreutz, hit out at the decision.
However, Carragher is having none of it and has backed the Liverpool icon to do whatever he wants.
‘I think it is rubbish, he’s a certain type of manager, a man of the people. There’s a feeling in Germany, I understand the model, this is completely different,’ Carragher said on Paramount+.
‘But Klopp has to stick to the ideals of Mainz and Borussia Dortmund for the rest of his life? We’re all hypocrites, if somebody offers us enough money, we’ll probably still do it.
‘He’s not the manager, he’s overseeing something, speaking to people, going to a few meetings, going to a few games and he’s probably getting paid an awful lot of money. If they’re that against the Red Bull model, then why did Dortmund buy Haaland?
‘If you’re so against their model, don’t buy and sell players with them then. They end up getting the best striker in the world and sold him to City for a right few quid by the way.
‘Teams and people in Germany don’t like the way Red Bull do things, I actually do, they give young players a chance, they get unpolished gems, polish them up and sell them off as diamonds. I think it’s a great model that a lot of clubs are trying to copy.’
On announcing the upcoming move, Klopp said: ‘After almost 25 years on the sidelines, I couldn’t be more excited to be involved in a project like this.
‘The role may have changed, but my passion for football and the people who make football what it is has not. By joining Red Bull on a global level, I want to develop, enhance and support the incredible football talent that is available to us. There are many ways we can do this, leveraging Red Bull’s knowledge and experience and learning from other sports and other industries.
‘Together we can discover what is possible. I see my role first and foremost as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs, but ultimately I am part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward-looking. As I said, nothing could excite me more.’
‘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. Two hours later it was official. It was pretty shocking and sad. Somehow it hasn’t really sunk in yet,’ he said.
‘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!’
Klopp’s move has been welcomed by the wider Red Bull oranisation, though, with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen pleased to see him sign up.
‘I knew already for quite a long time that they were talking and it was close to being signed,’ he said last week. ‘I think it is great. Red Bull is investing a lot also in football with the teams they have and there is a lot of talent that has come through already.
‘With someone like Jurgen in charge from the top, he has a lot of experience, and he has managed a lot of great clubs. It is great for the whole organisation.’
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