dpa

Frankfurt

Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp has reacted to criticism and defended his decision to take the job as head of global soccer at energy drink giants Red Bull.

"It was always clear - to me it was clear - that I wouldn’t be doing nothing. And then the Red Bull story came onto the table,” he said in the Einfach mal Luppen podcast hosted by former Germany and Real Madrid player Toni Kroos and his brother, Felix.

"To me that’s outstanding, I have to be honest,” Klopp added. "I don’t know exactly what I could have done to make everyone happy.” From January 1, 2025, Klopp will oversee Red Bull’s football operations, which include RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls, among others.

After leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, Klopp decided to take a break and was expected to take another coaching job in the future. He was repeatedly linked with the position at the Germany national team.

The move to Red Bull surprised and disappointed many football fans, who accuse the company of using its money to buy success and use the sport only as a platform to advertise an energy drinks.