‘Biggest challenge’, most interesting job: Klopp on Liverpool
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described his job as ’the biggest challenge’ in world football on Friday following his appointment as the successor to recently-sacked Brendan Rodgers.
New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described his job as ’the biggest challenge’ in world football on Friday following his appointment as the successor to recently-sacked Brendan Rodgers.
“Maybe it is the biggest challenge this moment in the world of football,” Klopp said in an interview with Liverpool’s in-house television channel, LFCTV. “But I was never a guy for an easy way. In this moment it is the most interesting job in world football.”
Former Borussia Dortmund head coach Klopp, 48, was appointed on Thursday on a three-year contract following the dismissal of Rodgers, who was sacked last Sunday after three and a half years at the club. His first game at the helm will be a trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on October 17.
Liverpool won the last of their 18 league titles in 1990 under the stewardship of Kenny Dalglish. Rodgers led them to a second-place finish in 2014, but they finished sixth last season and are currently in 10th place in the table with 12 points from eight games.
Klopp introduced a style of high-octane football during his time at Dortmund, leading the club to two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final, and he pledged that Liverpool would play at ‘full throttle’. “Winning is important, but so is how you win and how you play the game,” he said.
“I believe in a playing philosophy that is very emotional, very fast and very strong. My teams must play at full throttle and take it to the limit every single game.
“It is important to have a playing philosophy that reflects your own mentality, reflects the club and gives you a clear direction to follow. Tactical of course, but tactical with a big heart.”
‘Personality and charisma’
He added: “Liverpool has extraordinary supporters and Anfield is a world renowned home, with an incredible atmosphere.
“I want to build a great relationship with these supporters and give them memories to cherish. I hope we can feed off each other’s energy and that we take this journey together.”
Klopp confirmed that his assistants at Dortmund, Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz, would join him at Liverpool.
He described his appointment as ‘one of the best moments in my life’ and said Anfield was ‘the most historical place’ in world football. He also thanked Liverpool’s American owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) for appointing him and said he was happy to work with their transfer committee, which oversees the club’s recruitment strategy.
“It was absolutely no problem between FSG and myself,” he said. “We talked about this. It’s nothing. If two clever, intelligent guys sit at a table and you both want the same, what can be the problem?”
Klopp’s contract is reported to be worth £5 million ($7.7 million, 6.8 million euros) per year, rising to £7 million with bonuses. “In Jurgen Klopp we have appointed a world-class manager with a proven track record of winning and someone who has the personality and charisma to reignite this football club and take the team forward,” said Liverpool chairman Tom Werner.
“He possesses all the qualities we are looking for in a manager -- he is a strong, inspirational leader, who has a clear philosophy of high energy, attacking football.
“Critically, he is also a winner and someone who can connect with and enthuse our supporters.”