MAINZ, Germany (AFP) — Fans of Bundesliga club Mainz expressed their discontent on Saturday during a 2-0 defeat against RB Leipzig, targeting former manager Jürgen Klopp’s recent career move to Red Bull.
As the game unfolded, supporters unveiled eye-catching banners that called into question Klopp’s loyalty, including one that provocatively inquired, “What happened to your roots?” Another highlighted a memorable quote from Klopp himself: “I admire individuals until they let me down.”
A particularly prominent banner loomed large in the stands, with bold red lettering asking Klopp, “Have you forgotten our dedication?”
Klopp, who once played for Mainz, spent seven successful years as the club’s manager, leading them to their first-ever promotion to Germany’s top league before moving on to Borussia Dortmund and then Liverpool.
After a decorated tenure at Liverpool, where he claimed multiple honors, including the Premier League and Champions League, Klopp announced his resignation in the summer. In October, he revealed plans to join Red Bull as their global head of football, set to start in January 2025.
The announcement has sparked frustration among fans across Germany, particularly those connected to Dortmund and Mainz, who have a historical aversion to RB Leipzig. Critics argue that Leipzig, founded in 2009, contravenes Germany’s 50+1 ownership rule, which emphasizes member control of clubs. Others condemn Red Bull’s strategy of multi-club ownership, which they see as undermining the integrity of German football.
Saturday’s victory for Leipzig not only reinforced their undefeated status in the league this season but also propelled them to the top of the table—at least until Bayern Munich’s match against Stuttgart later that evening.
Leipzig’s coach, Marco Rose, who played under Klopp during his time at Mainz, dismissed the fans’ grievances as a reflection of a vocal minority.
“With 35,000 fans in the stadium, it’s normal to have differing opinions. I believe the overwhelming majority—around 34,936—hold Klopp in high regard for his contributions to this club,” Rose stated.
“His legacy here is undeniable. Everyone is entitled to their own choices in life, and they should be respected. Not everyone has to agree.”
Rose further remarked that he was unaware of the banners during the match, suggesting that they did not hold significant weight in the broader context of fan sentiment.
