Even before his first day of work at Red Bull, Jürgen Klopp had already felt the rejection of the Leipzig soccer project from afar. When the fans of Holstein Kiel unfurled a tasteless banner before the Bundesliga match against RB Leipzig, the once undisputed soccer coach's favorite could also be seen in the crosshairs, who starts his job as Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer on January 1.
The promoted club from Schleswig-Holstein is likely to face sanctions from the German Football Association after the controversial fan poster with the inscription "Gravedigger of German soccer" and the likenesses of Klopp, Oliver Mintzlaff, Hoffenheim patron Dietmar Hopp and Hanover's boss Martin Kind.
Holstein president with clear words
None of those offended wanted to comment on the incidents. However, the president of Holstein Kiel had clear words to say about the incidents at the Holstein Stadium before the league newcomers' 2-0 loss to the Champions League participants.
"Putting people in the crosshairs is unacceptable. The club's opinion on this is clear and unequivocal. We therefore condemn the content of the choreography in the strongest possible terms," explained Holstein president Steffen Schneekloth in a club statement.
"We do not accept the way in which people are treated here and apologize profusely to the defamed individuals. KSV will promptly investigate and analyze the incident internally and reserves the right to take appropriate measures," said Schneekloth. The action was "not registered in this form and therefore not authorized".
Referee remains silent
Referee Florian Badstübner did not punish the actions. The referee did not want to comment after the match. Three-and-a-half years ago, the Bundesliga match between 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich was interrupted twice because Bayern fans had severely insulted Hopp with two banners.
RB coach Marco suggested after the game in Kiel that the action should simply be ignored. "I think it's mega-smart if we don't give all these fools a platform, but simply don't talk about it," said Rose after the Saxons' victory.
Rose and Rapp: Ignore it
"They should roll up their posters again and take them home. Then they put something on it, everyone was happy here in the stadium, go home, nobody reacted to it. Oh, nobody cares about the hollow stuff that was spread. And then it's fine," said Leipzig's coach.
Kiel coach Marcel Rapp agreed with him. "If you don't pay so much attention to it, then it will probably fizzle out more than if we talk about it now, write about it. Because then it incites even more."
Following his departure from Liverpool FC, Klopp surprisingly accepted Red Bull's offer to oversee the entire soccer business of the soda manufacturer's numerous clubs from January 2025. Fans had already expressed their displeasure with the popular coach's decision on social media after the announcement. Now this fan anger has reached soccer stadiums and thus a new level of quality.
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