Jurgen Klopp never imagined he’d be portrayed as a giant styrofoam figure gliding through the Mainz streets. Yet, the annual Rose Monday carnival unveiled a float that showed Klopp with wings made of dollar-strewn bills, gripping a Red Bull can and a football.
On its side, a cutting message read, “For Kloppo values he no longer cares about, used to matter. Because Red Bull lures with a lot of money, he is now falling off his pedestal with a crash.”
It was a startling sight for locals who fondly remember the upbeat coach who once led Mainz to the top flight. He also played for them.
Klopp has insisted his move to become Red Bull’s global head of soccer won’t lead him to coach any of the company’s teams. Still, the carnival float seemed to highlight a deeper concern: the corporate influence shaping modern football.
A tense homecoming
Some supporters in Mainz say it feels like a betrayal. They recall the jovial man who once carried their club on his back. Now, they see him with currency for wings, as if he’s traded camaraderie for corporate power.
The float itself wasn’t cheap—it reportedly cost around $16,000 to produce—and that figure only fueled the conversation about how money affects the game.
One banner at a match last October had asked him bluntly, “Have you forgotten everything we made you become?”
Klopp, though, has tried to defend his decision. He recently reminded critics of the fans in other Red Bull locations. “Do they not deserve good football?” he asked about RB Leipzig‘s rise. He also noted that his coaching journey in England is finished.
“My time in England is definitely over because I will not coach another team here,” he said. “If I manage again, it will not be around the corner.”
It’s a tricky moment for Klopp, who spent years cultivating a down-to-earth persona.
German supporters have long been wary of the Red Bull model, arguing that it strips away clubs’ souls by prioritizing marketing and money. Those anxieties surged with RB Leipzig’s rapid climb through the leagues. Now, Klopp finds himself at the center of the debate.
Mainz’s carnival is famous for its satire. Politicians, pop stars, and sports icons all face creative jabs that can sting, but few provocations have resonated as much as the Klopp float. Many fans still love him, remembering how he turned a modest club into a Bundesliga contender.
Shocking Mainz parade depicts Klopp’s wings made of dollar bills
