Jurgen Klopp is targeted by a threatening banner as protests rage on against the incoming Red Bull head of global soccer

Jurgen Klopp was sent a threatening message by Bundesliga fans as anger over the former Liverpool manager’s move to Red Bull rages on in Germany. 

The 57-year-old has received a lot of criticism since agreeing to become head of global soccer at Red Bull – a post he will take up on January 1. 

The Austrian drinks giant owns Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, Brazilian club Red Bull Bragantino and has a stake in Leeds United. While not technically owning RB Leipzig, it is also finances the Bundesliga team. 

German Football Association laws state German clubs must operate on a ’50+1′ rule, meaning members – essentially fans – own the majority of shares and can influence decisions such as ticket prices.  

RB Leipzig were accused of exploited the system by having just 17 members with voting rights – most directly linked to Red Bull – and got around a law stating teams must not be named after sponsors by officially calling the club RasenBallsport Leipzig, which translates as LawnBallsport Leipzig.

And supporters of Holstein Kiel who were facing Leipzig in the league on Saturday made their feelings clear over Klopp’s move by unfurling a banner which showed the former Borussia Dortmund caught in the crosshairs, next to a gravestone. 

Klopp was shown alongside Red Bull boss Oliver Mintzlaff as well as football financiers Martin Kind and Dietmar Hopp – with the words ‘The gravediggers of German football’.

Former Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp has defended his decision to join Red Bull

The German will begin his role as head of global soccer at Red Bull from January 1

The banner was unfurled four minutes into RB Leipzig’s 2-0 win and rolled up eight minutes later. 

This is the latest in a series of protests against Klopp’s move to Red Bull. Mainz supporters released banners with messages such as ‘Have you forgotten everything we gave you?’ directed to their former manager when they played Leipzig in October.

Following that protest, Klopp defended his decision to join Red Bull, aruging that you can’t make everyone happy. 

‘I did not want to step on anyone’s toes,’ he told former Germany, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos’ podcast.

‘I love all my former clubs, but I don’t know what I could have done so that everyone is happy.

‘I am 57 and can still work a few more years, but I did not see myself on the sidelines for now. It was clear for me that I would do something – so then Red Bull came.’