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Jurgen Klopp is set to return to work in football just months on from his Anfield farewell but his decision has not proved popular in his homeland

Jurgen Klopp's decision has divided opinion

There are few people in world football whose actions generate more strong opinions than Jurgen Klopp. The former Liverpool boss has never been shy of sparking a headline or two and it is therefore no surprise that his decision to accept a new job, mere months after leaving Anfield, has raised a few eyebrows.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that the German has agreed a deal to join the Red Bull network, where he will become the 'Global Head of Soccer'. Red Bull have clubs in Germany (Leipzig), Austria (Salzburg), America (New York), and Brazil (Bragantino), with Klopp's focus expected to be on supporting individual sporting directors, alongside global scouting and the development of coaches.

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In a video posted to his Instagram page, the 57-year-old said he is "really looking forward" to taking up his new role in January, citing a desire to continue working in football. "A few months ago I said I don't see myself on the sidelines anymore and that is still the case, but I still love football and I still love working and Red Bull gives me the perfect platform for that" he said.

"I want to share my experience that I collected over the years and we all know there are more successful managers out there....now I have time and I have the opportunity and I want to see and feel and figure out what is useful for football."

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While Klopp appears to view the role as the perfect fit for him at this moment in time, his decision has not been particularly well-received in his homeland owing to the broadly negative perceptions of RB Leipzig and their part in a multi-club model. Speaking to talkSPORT, German football expert Constantin Eckner said: “Members of the media and fans are thinking that Jurgen Klopp has destroyed his legacy.

“It might not be a hot topic in Britain but Red Bull when they came in they took over a sixth division club and financed Leipzig to go through the ranks and get to the Bundesliga. Red Bull are accused of circumventing the 50+1 rule which is held in high regard in German football which is highly controversial.

“He was the head coach of Mainz and Borussia Dortmund who have positioned themselves as the antithesis of clubs like Leipzig and Hoffenheim. Especially Dortmund fans but a lot of football fans in general are not only annoyed, but somewhat angry.”

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Eckner's sentiments have been echoed by Kicker chief reporter Oliver Hartman, who called the deal a "dagger in the heart for football romantics", while 74 per cent of voters in a poll on the publication's website criticised the move.

German outlet WAZ also rather scathingly titled their opinion piece: ‘Klopp stands for everything that’s going wrong in football’, while pundits from TV channel Sport1 said Klopp had "sold out on everything he stood for all these years".

Meanwhile, journalist Jamie Allen, writing for Get German Football News, said: "Klopp is seen to most as a figure who would rebel against the idea of multi-club ownership and every uncertainty that it brings to the world of football.

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"However, having now taken up the role of Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, is this a sign of the times? Are the likes of the Red Bull and City Football Group business models the ‘new normal’ in a sport already clouded under a lack of morals and suspicion of corruption?"