It has been revealed that Jurgen Klopp was a notable absence in Red Bull Salzburg’s friendly against Bayern Munich.
Klopp officially took over as Red Bull’s director of football on January 1, marking his first role since stepping down as Liverpool manager last May.
Given RB Salzburg’s prestige as one of Red Bull’s flagship clubs, some suspected Klopp would be the supplier of the game.
However, the 57-year-old was nowhere to be seen.
According to German outlet BILD, Klopp did not want to ‘attract media attention’ or ‘distract attention from the sporting aspect.’
Klopp’s appointment to the role has generated much controversy given Red Bull’s history in German football, as well as its links with Borussia Dortmund and Mainz.
German clubs must comply with the 50+1 rule, according to which the majority of the shares of a team must belong to the fans.
Red Bull has long been accused of circumventing this old rule, which is very typical of German football.
Speaking to talkSPORT in October, German football expert Constantin Eckner claimed Klopp’s decision to take up the role had done serious damage to his reputation.
“He the head trainer of Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, who located themselves as the antithesis of clubs like Leipzig and Hoffenheim,” Eckner said.
“Especially Dortmund enthusiasts, but many football enthusiasts in general are not only upset, but also angry. “
Bayern ran out 6-0 winners over the Austrian side as both clubs ramp up their return to action in their respective leagues following the winter break.
Eric Dier, Thomas Muller, Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich and Jonathan Asp Jensen all got on the scoresheet for the Bavarians.
As for Salzburg, the adjustment gave new coach Thomas Letsch pause.
Letsch was appointed on December 18 after Pepijn Ljinders, who joined Salzburg in July, was sacked.
Ljinders arrived in Austria after six years as Klopp’s right-hand man at Liverpool and helped them win the Premier League and Champions League.
The Dutchman left after just 28 games and the club went into the winter break fifth in the Austrian Bundesliga, ten times faster than Sturm Graz.
Salzburg also lost five out of six Champions League fixtures to leave the team sitting 29th out of 36 teams.
In a joint statement, Salzburg chief executive Stephan Reiter and sporting director Rouven Schroder explained ‘many unsatisfactory performances’ were behind the decision to axe Ljinders.
“We began recently to analyse, as planned, what has unfortunately not been a satisfactory season so far,” the statement read.
“It was clear to see that in many of our matches we have been far short of our own requirements and aims.
“That’s why we are convinced that our team wants a little spice with the new management, although we are still waiting for a change until the end. “