One of Jurgen Klopp's firmest friends in football has leapt to the former Liverpool boss' defence over his controversial new job.
Klopp left Anfield after an unforgettable nine-year stay at the end of last season and pledged to take a break from football.
Even though the 57-year-old still has no desire to return to the touchline, he made headlines this week by becoming Red Bull's global head of soccer.
In his new role, Klopp will oversee the multi-club organisation's football strategy.
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The move brought criticism, most notably from his homeland of Germany, where the manner in which Red Bull has allowed RB Leipzig to circumvent German football.
Klopp has previously aligned himself with "tradition" as a "football romantic", meaning there is undeniably a jarring element to his latest career move.
But former Huddersfield and Schalke boss Wagner, a longtime ally of Klopp's, has sprung to his old pal's defence.
"I can understand those who might have wanted something different from him," Wagner told Sport 1. "But I condemn anyone who criticizes Kloppo for this decision. It makes me sick.
"Jurgen Klopp is neither a worse nor a better person, nor a worse coach. What he has achieved remains the same.
"I find it reprehensible when people question Klopp's values just because he will soon be working for an outstanding organisation."
What Diogo Jota said about Jurgen Klopp
Diogo Jota became the first of Klopp's former Liverpool players to address his former boss' new job as he undertook media duties while away with the Portugal national team.
He’s a person I have a lot of affection for, we have to respect his decision," the forward said, as quoted by Record.
"I wish him the best of luck in this new stage.”
