Former Borussia Dortmund star Kevin Grosskreutz has slammed Jurgen Klopp’s decision to take up a new job as Red Bull’s global head of soccer.
The former Liverpool manager said earlier this week that he wanted to start learning about the game again when he officially starts on January 1.
Klopp also reiterated his stance that he does not see himself returning to the dugout, although reports suggest there is a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave to become Germany manager.
‘A few months ago I said I don’t see myself on the sidelines any more and that’s still the case, but I still love football and still love working and Red Bull gives me the perfect platform for that,’ Klopp, who left Anfield in the summer after almost nine years, said in a video on Instagram.
‘I want to share my experience which I collected over the years and we all know there are much more successful managers out there.
‘In my career I’ve fought for promotion, I’ve fought against relegation, I’ve fought for titles and I’ve fought for trophies.
‘Sometimes we failed, sometimes we succeeded and dealing with that is not easy, but it is possible.
‘Then I want to learn again because when you are in the job and have to play every three days you barely have time for that.
‘Now I have time and I have the opportunity and I want to see, feel and figure out what is useful for football. So developing football a little bit as well.’
Red Bull owns German side RB Leipzig, Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg, Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls and Brazilian clubs Red Bull Bragantino and Red Bull Brasil.
It is also the shirt sponsor of Leeds after buying a minority stake in the SkyBet Championship club earlier this year.
The Red Bull model has been fiercely criticised by German football fans since their clubs started enjoying success in Austria and Germany.
Dortmund have been particularly vociferous in admonishing Red Bull and Grosskreutz, a stalwart of the sides that prospered under Klopp, says his old manager’s latest career move leaves a sour taste.
He said: ‘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,” said Grosskreutz, who made 176 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Dortmund under Klopp.
‘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!’
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