Jurgen Klopp Faces Criticism from Mainz Fans for Joining Red Bull
Mainz, Germany (AFP)— A recent Bundesliga match featuring Mainz saw the unveiling of a series of banners critical of former coach Jurgen Klopp, whose decision to join Red Bull has sparked controversy among fans. The game, which resulted in a 2-0 home defeat for Mainz against RB Leipzig, was overshadowed by the fans’ clear dissent regarding Klopp’s career move.
The banners displayed by Mainz supporters played on Klopp’s surname, posing the question “Are you crazy?” alongside a quote from Klopp himself: “I like people until the point they disappoint me.” A prominent sign, emblazoned in red letters, questioned if Klopp had “forgotten everything we gave you?”
Jurgen Klopp, a revered figure in Mainz, not only played for the club but also coached them for seven years, guiding the team to its first promotion to the Bundesliga. He later moved on to achieve significant success at Borussia Dortmund and then at Liverpool, where he won both the Premier League and the Champions League. Klopp stepped down from his role as Liverpool’s manager in the summer.
The revelation of Klopp’s impending role as the global head of football for Red Bull, starting January 2025, has not resonated well with German fans, particularly those of his former clubs, Dortmund and Mainz. The contention largely revolves around Red Bull-owned clubs like RB Leipzig, which many argue do not align with Germany’s 50+1 rule mandating member control of clubs. Additionally, the multi-club ownership model employed by Red Bull is a point of contention.
RB Leipzig’s victory over Mainz led them to temporarily hold the top position in the league standings until Bayern Munich faced Stuttgart. Despite this, the focus remained on the protesting fans, whose resentment was downplayed by RB Leipzig’s coach Marco Rose. Having played under Klopp during his time at Mainz, Rose suggested that the outcry represented only a small faction. “There are 35,000 people in the stadium, many of whom have an opinion. I believe that around 34,936 people love Kloppo for the fact that he shaped an era here,” Rose remarked.
Emphasizing Klopp’s long-standing connection to Mainz, Rose further stated, “Everyone has their own life somewhere and the right to decide things freely and for themselves. Not everyone has to love it,” while noting that Klopp remained unfazed by the banners, indicating their limited impact.
As Jurgen Klopp prepares to transition to his new role with Red Bull, the debate continues over his legacy and recent choices. Whether this dissent among fans will persist remains uncertain, but Klopp’s influence on Mainz and the football world at large is undeniable.
