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Jürgen Klopp defends Red Bull move after German fan backlash

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Jürgen Klopp has defended his decision to head up Red Bull's group of football clubs, saying he "didn't want to step on anybody's toes" after his decision prompted a backlash from fans of his former teams in Germany.

Klopp is taking over as the drinks company's head of global football from January in what was widely seen as a surprise move. It will be his first job after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season.

"I didn't want to step on anybody's toes, definitely not, and personally I love all of my ex-clubs," Klopp said in an interview released Wednesday on a podcast hosted by former Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos.