Jurgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager, has entertained football fans worldwide with his playful appearance at the Mainz Carnival in western Germany. The 58-year-old, who now serves as Red Bull's head of global football, embraced the festive spirit of the months-long street party by donning a distinctive costume that quickly went viral on social media.
Klopp's Iconic Carnival Look
Returning to Mainz, where he began his managerial career, Klopp shared two images with his 5.5 million Instagram followers. He wore a black cowboy hat and a red bandana around his neck, captioning the post: 'Not Ted Lasso but John Dutton today! Mainzer Fastnacht here we go…' This reference pointed to John Dutton, the main protagonist of the Paramount television series Yellowstone, portrayed by Kevin Costner, who often sports similar attire while managing his Montana ranch.
Fan Comparisons and Social Media Buzz
The second image Klopp posted led supporters to draw parallels with Jason Sudeikis' portrayal of Ted Lasso, the beloved American football coach from the Apple TV series who finds success in the Premier League with fictional club AFC Richmond. Online fans also humorously compared Klopp to Walter White from Breaking Bad, the high school teacher-turned-drug lord famously played by Bryan Cranston, noting similarities in appearance and demeanour.
Former Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique responded to the Instagram post with a crown emoji, while numerous Liverpool fan accounts flooded the comments with red love hearts, expressing their affection for the Anfield legend. Other replies included pleas from supporters urging Klopp to consider a move to Real Madrid, following recent speculation linking him to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Denial of Real Madrid Contact
Addressing the rumours directly, Klopp clarified that he has not been contacted by Real Madrid regarding their managerial position, which became vacant after Xabi Alonso's departure. Speaking to Austrian channel Servus TV, Klopp stated: 'I think the rumours have been circulating for some time now. And I know exactly what your question is getting at, but it has nothing to do with me.'
He added: 'My phone did actually ring, but not from Madrid. There were, however, a few people who felt they needed to bring it up with me.' Klopp expressed sympathy for Alonso, noting that taking over from a legendary and successful coach like Carlo Ancelotti, with his specific management style, proved challenging. 'I really feel sorry for him, because I consider him a great coach,' Klopp remarked.
Klopp's Current Role and Liverpool Legacy
Since leaving Liverpool in May 2024, citing a depletion of energy in the dugout, Klopp has emphasised his contentment in his current position as Red Bull's global head of football, a role he assumed in January 2025. During his nearly nine-year tenure at Liverpool, Klopp achieved remarkable success, securing seven honours including the Champions League in 2019 and guiding the club to their first league title in 30 years during the 2019-20 season.
Notably, Klopp became the only Liverpool manager to win the league title, European Cup/Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup with the Reds, cementing his legacy as one of the club's most influential figures. His lighthearted carnival appearance and candid comments on managerial rumours have once again captured the attention of the football world, blending humour with insight into his post-Liverpool career.
