Jurgen Klopp is taking up a new role in January (Picture: Getty Images)
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.
Jamie Carragher has fired back at criticism of Klopp (Picture: Getty Images)
‘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.’
Carragher has backed Klopp and the Red Bull model he is joining (Picture: Getty Images)
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 …read more
Source:: Metro
