German football manager (born 1967)
Not to be confused with Jürgen Zopp
Jürgen Norbert
Klopp (German pronunciation: [ˈjʏʁɡn̩ ˈklɔp] ⓘ; born 16 6️⃣ June 1967) is a German
professional football manager and former player who is the manager of Premier League
club Liverpool. 6️⃣ He is widely regarded as one of the best football managers in the
world.[2][3][4][5]
Klopp spent most of his playing career 6️⃣ at Mainz 05. He was initially
deployed as a striker, but was later moved to defence. Upon retiring in 2001, 6️⃣ Klopp
became the club's manager, and secured Bundesliga promotion in 2004. After suffering
relegation in the 2006–07 season and unable 6️⃣ to achieve promotion, Klopp resigned in
2008 as the club's longest-serving manager. He then became manager of Borussia
Dortmund, guiding 6️⃣ them to the Bundesliga title in 2010–11, before winning Dortmund's
first-ever domestic double during a record-breaking season.[note 1] Klopp also 6️⃣ guided
Dortmund to a runner-up finish in the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League before leaving in
2024 as their longest-serving manager.
Klopp 6️⃣ was appointed manager of Liverpool in
2024. He has guided the club to UEFA Champions League finals in 2024 and 6️⃣ 2024, and won
the trophy in 2024 to secure his first – and Liverpool's sixth – title in the
competition. 6️⃣ Klopp's side finished second in the 2024–19 Premier League, registering 97
points; the then third-highest total in the history of 6️⃣ the English top division, and
the most by a team without winning the title. The following season, Klopp won the 6️⃣ UEFA
Super Cup and Liverpool's first FIFA Club World Cup, before delivering Liverpool's
first Premier League title, amassing a club 6️⃣ record 99 points and breaking a number of
top-flight records. These achievements won him back-to-back FIFA Coach of the Year
6️⃣ awards in 2024 and 2024. Klopp also won a cup double of the EFL Cup and FA Cup in
2024.
Klopp 6️⃣ is a notable proponent of Gegenpressing, whereby the team, after losing
possession, immediately attempts to win back possession, rather than 6️⃣ falling back to
regroup. He has described his sides as playing "heavy metal" football, in reference to
their pressing and 6️⃣ high attacking output. Klopp has cited his main influences as
Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi, and former Mainz coach Wolfgang Frank. 6️⃣ The importance of
emotion is something Klopp has underlined throughout his managerial career, and he has
gained both admiration and 6️⃣ notoriety for his enthusiastic touchline celebrations.
Early
life and playing career
Jürgen Norbert Klopp[6] was born on 16 June 1967[7] in
Stuttgart,[8] 6️⃣ the state capital of Baden-Württemberg, to Elisabeth and Norbert Klopp, a
travelling salesman and a former goalkeeper.[9][10][11] Klopp grew up 6️⃣ in the
countryside in the Black Forest village of Glatten near Freudenstadt with two older
sisters.[8][11][12] He started playing for 6️⃣ local club SV Glatten and later TuS
Ergenzingen as a junior player,[11] with the next stint at 1. FC Pforzheim 6️⃣ and then at
three Frankfurt clubs, Eintracht Frankfurt II, Viktoria Sindlingen and Rot-Weiss
Frankfurt during his adolescence.[13] Introduced to football 6️⃣ through his father, Klopp
was a supporter of VfB Stuttgart in his youth.[11][14] As a young boy, Klopp aspired to
6️⃣ become a doctor, but he did not believe he "was ever smart enough for a medical
career," saying "when they 6️⃣ were handing out our A-Level certificates, my headmaster
said to me, 'I hope it works out with football, otherwise it's 6️⃣ not looking too good for
you.'"[15]
While playing as an amateur footballer, Klopp worked a number of part-time
jobs including working 6️⃣ at a local video rental store and loading heavy items onto
lorries.[14] In 1988, while attending the Goethe University Frankfurt, 6️⃣ as well as
playing for Eintracht Frankfurt's reserves, Klopp managed the Frankfurt D-Juniors.[16]
In the summer of 1990, Klopp was 6️⃣ signed by Mainz 05.[11][17] He spent most of his
professional career in Mainz, from 1990 to 2001, with his attitude 6️⃣ and commitment
making him a fan-favourite.[18] Originally a striker, Klopp began playing as a defender
in 1995.[11][19] That same year, 6️⃣ Klopp obtained a diploma in sports science at the
Goethe University of Frankfurt (MSc equivalent), writing his thesis about walking.[20]
6️⃣ He retired as Mainz 05's record goal scorer, registering 56 goals in total,[14]
including 52 league goals.[18]
Klopp confessed that as 6️⃣ a player he felt more suited to
a managerial role, describing himself saying "I had fourth-division feet and a
first-division 6️⃣ head."[19][21] Recalling his trial at Eintracht Frankfurt where he
played alongside Andreas Möller, Klopp described how his 19-year-old self thought, 6️⃣ "if
that's football, I'm playing a completely different game. He was world-class. I was not
even class."[22] As a player, 6️⃣ Klopp closely followed his manager's methods on the
training field as well as making weekly trips to Cologne to study 6️⃣ under Erich
Rutemöller to obtain his Football Coaching Licence.[14]
Managerial career
Mainz 05
In
2004, Klopp led his former club, Mainz 05, to 6️⃣ Bundesliga promotion.
Upon his retirement
from playing for Mainz 05 in 2. Bundesliga, Klopp was appointed as the club's manager
on 6️⃣ 27 February 2001 following the dismissal of Eckhard Krautzun.[23][24] The day after,
Klopp took charge of their first match, which 6️⃣ saw Mainz 05 secure a 1–0 home win over
MSV Duisburg.[11][25][26] Klopp went on to win six out of his 6️⃣ first seven games in
charge, eventually finishing in 14th place, avoiding relegation with one game to
spare.[27] In his first 6️⃣ full season in charge in 2001–02, Klopp guided Mainz to finish
4th in the league as he implemented his favoured 6️⃣ pressing and counter-pressing tactics,
narrowly missing promotion. Mainz again finished 4th in 2002–03, denied promotion again
on the final day 6️⃣ on goal difference.[11] After two seasons of disappointment, Klopp led
Mainz to a third-place finish in the 2003–04 season, securing 6️⃣ promotion to the
Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history.[11][28]
Despite having the
smallest budget and the smallest stadium 6️⃣ in the league, Mainz finished 11th in their
first top-flight season in 2004–05. Klopp's side finished 11th again in 2005–06 6️⃣ as well
as securing qualification for the 2005–06 UEFA Cup, although they were knocked out in
the first round by 6️⃣ eventual champions Sevilla.[27] At the end of the 2006–07 season,
Mainz 05 were relegated, but Klopp chose to remain with 6️⃣ the club.[29] However, unable
to achieve promotion the next year, Klopp resigned at the end of the 2007–08
season.[30] He 6️⃣ finished with a record of 109 wins, 78 draws, and 83
losses.[31]
Borussia Dortmund
2008–2013: Consecutive league titles; first European
final
In May 6️⃣ 2008, Klopp was approached to become the new manager of Borussia Dortmund.
Despite having interest from German champions Bayern Munich,[14] 6️⃣ Klopp eventually
signed a two-year contract at the club, which had finished in a disappointing 13th
place under previous manager 6️⃣ Thomas Doll.[32][33][34] Klopp's opening game as manager
was on 9 August in a 3–1 DFB-Pokal victory away to Rot-Weiss Essen.[35] 6️⃣ In his first
season, Klopp won his first trophy with the club after defeating German champions
Bayern Munich to claim 6️⃣ the 2008 German Supercup.[36] He led the club to a sixth-place
finish in his first season in charge.[37] The next 6️⃣ season Klopp secured European
football as he led Dortmund to a fifth-place finish, despite having one of the youngest
squads 6️⃣ in the league.[14][38]
Klopp at a press conference ahead of Dortmund's
title-winning 2010–11 season
After losing 2–0 to Bayer Leverkusen on the 6️⃣ opening day of
the 2010–11 Bundesliga, Klopp's Dortmund side won fourteen of their next fifteen
matches to secure the top 6️⃣ spot in the league for Christmas.[14] They clinched the
2010–11 Bundesliga title, their seventh league title, with two games to 6️⃣ spare on 30
April 2011, beating 1. FC Nürnberg 2–0 at home.[39][40][41] Klopp's side were the
youngest ever side to 6️⃣ win the Bundesliga.[14] Klopp and his team successfully defended
their title, winning the 2011–12 Bundesliga.[42][43][44] Their total of 81 points 6️⃣ that
season[45] was the greatest total points in Bundesliga history and the 47 points earned
in the second half of 6️⃣ the season also set a new record.[46] Their 25 league wins
equalled Bayern Munich's record, while their 28-league match unbeaten 6️⃣ run was the best
ever recorded in a single German top-flight season.[47][note 2] Dortmund lost the 2011
DFL-Supercup against rivals 6️⃣ Schalke 04.[49] On 12 May 2012, Klopp sealed the club's
first ever domestic double, by defeating Bayern Munich 5–2 to 6️⃣ win the 2012 DFB-Pokal
final, which he described as being "better than [he] could have
imagined".[50][51]
Dortmund's league form during the 6️⃣ 2012–13 season was not as
impressive as in the previous campaign, with Klopp insisting that his team would focus
on 6️⃣ the UEFA Champions League to make up for their disappointing run in that competition
in the previous season.[52] Klopp's team 6️⃣ were drawn against Manchester City, Real
Madrid and Ajax in what was described as the competition's "group of death".[53]
However, 6️⃣ they did not lose a game, topping the group with some impressive
performances.[54] Dortmund faced José Mourinho's Real Madrid again, 6️⃣ this time in the
semi-finals.[55] After an excellent result against them at home in the first leg, a 4–1
victory, 6️⃣ a 2–0 loss meant Dortmund narrowly progressed to the final.[56] On 23 April
2013, it was announced that Dortmund's crucial 6️⃣ playmaker Mario Götze was moving on 1
July to rivals Bayern Munich after they had triggered Götze's release clause of 6️⃣ €37
million.[57][58][59] Klopp admitted his annoyance at the timing of the announcement of
Götze's move, as it was barely 36 6️⃣ hours before Dortmund's Champions League semi-final
with Real Madrid.[60] Klopp later said that Dortmund had no chance of convincing Götze
6️⃣ to stay with Dortmund, saying, "He is a Pep Guardiola favourite".[61] Dortmund lost the
final 2–1 to Bayern, with an 6️⃣ 89th-minute goal from Arjen Robben.[62] Dortmund finished
in second place in the Bundesliga.[63] They also lost the 2012 DFL-Supercup,[64] and
6️⃣ were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal in the round of 16.[65]
2013–2024: Final years at
Dortmund
At the beginning of the 2013–14 6️⃣ season, Klopp extended his contract until June
2024.[66] Klopp received a fine of €10,000 on 17 March 2014 after getting 6️⃣ sent off from
a Bundesliga match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.[67] The ejection was a result of
"verbal attack" on the referee, 6️⃣ Deniz Aytekin, who stated that Klopp's behaviour was
"rude on more than one occasion".[68] Borussia Dortmund Vorstand chairman Hans-Joachim
Watzke 6️⃣ stated that "I have to support Jürgen Klopp 100 percent in this case" because he
saw no reason for a 6️⃣ fine and denied that Klopp insulted the fourth official.[68]
Dortmund finished the 2013–14 season in second place.[69] On 4 January 6️⃣ 2014, it was
announced that Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski signed a pre-contract agreement to
join Bayern Munich at the end 6️⃣ of the season, becoming the second key player after Götze
to leave the club within a year.[70] Also during the 6️⃣ 2013–14 season, Dortmund won the
2013 DFL-Supercup,[71] but were knocked out of the Champions League in the
quarter-finals by eventual 6️⃣ champions Real Madrid.[72]
Klopp left Dortmund at the end of
the 2014–15 season.
Dortmund started the 2014–15 season by winning the 2014
6️⃣ DFL-Supercup.[73] After a disappointing beginning of the season, Klopp announced in
April that he would leave the club at the 6️⃣ end of the season, saying "I really think the
decision is the right one. This club deserves to be coached 6️⃣ from the 100% right
manager" as well as adding "I chose this time to announce it because in the last 6️⃣ few
years some player decisions were made late and there was no time to react", referring
to the departures of 6️⃣ Götze and Lewandowski in the seasons prior.[74] He denied
speculation that he was tired of the role, saying, "It's not 6️⃣ that I'm tired, I've not
had contact with another club but don't plan to take a sabbatical".[74] Confronted with
the 6️⃣ thesis that Dortmund's form immediately improved after the announcement, he joked,
"If I'd known, I would have announced it at 6️⃣ the beginning of the season".[75][76][77]
His final match in charge of the team was the 2024 DFB-Pokal final, which Dortmund 6️⃣ lost
3–1 against VfL Wolfsburg.[78] Dortmund finished in the league in seventh place[79] and
were knocked out of Champions League 6️⃣ in the round of 16 by Juventus.[80] He finished
with a record of 180 wins, 69 draws, and 70 losses.[81]
Liverpool
2024–2024: 6️⃣ European
runners-up and return to Champions League
On 8 October 2024, Klopp agreed a three-year
deal to become Liverpool manager, replacing 6️⃣ Brendan Rodgers. According to El País,
Liverpool co-owner John W. Henry did not trust public opinion so he looked for 6️⃣ a
mathematical method similar to Moneyball, the approach that Henry used for the Boston
Red Sox in guiding them to 6️⃣ three World Series wins, which he also owns via Fenway
Sports Group.[82] The mathematical model turned out to be that 6️⃣ of Cambridge physicist
Ian Graham, which was used to select the manager, Klopp, and players essential for
Liverpool to win 6️⃣ the Champions League.[83] In his first press conference, Klopp
described his new side saying "it is not a normal club, 6️⃣ it is a special club. I had two
very special clubs with Mainz and Dortmund. It is the perfect next 6️⃣ step for me to be
here and try and help" and stating his intention to deliver trophies within four
years.[84][85] 6️⃣ During his first conference, Klopp dubbed himself 'The Normal One' in a
parody of José Mourinho's famous 'The Special One' 6️⃣ statement in 2004.[86]
Klopp after
winning against Middlesbrough on the final day of the 2024–17 season to secure fourth
in the 6️⃣ league
Klopp's debut was a 0–0 away draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 17
October.[87] On 28 October, Klopp secured his first 6️⃣ win as Liverpool manager against
AFC Bournemouth in the League Cup to proceed to the quarter-finals.[88] His first
Premier League 6️⃣ win came three days later, a 3–1 away victory against Chelsea.[89] After
three 1–1 draws in the opening matches of 6️⃣ the UEFA Europa League, Liverpool defeated
Rubin Kazan 1–0 in Klopp's first win in Europe as a Liverpool manager.[90] On 6️⃣ 6
February 2024, he missed a league match to have an appendectomy after suffering
suspected appendicitis.[91] On 28 February, Liverpool 6️⃣ lost the 2024 League Cup final at
Wembley to Manchester City on penalties.[92] On 17 March, Liverpool progressed to the
6️⃣ quarter-final of the Europa League by defeating Manchester United 3–1 on aggregate.[93]
On 14 April, Liverpool fought back from a 6️⃣ 3–1 second half deficit in the second leg of
their quarter-final match against his former club Dortmund to win 4–3, 6️⃣ advancing to the
semi-finals 5–4 on aggregate.[94] On 5 May, Klopp guided Liverpool to their first
European final since 2007 6️⃣ by beating Villarreal 3–1 on aggregate in the semi-finals of
the Europa League.[95] In the final, Liverpool faced Sevilla, losing 6️⃣ 3–1 with Daniel
Sturridge scoring the opening goal for Liverpool in the first half.[96] Liverpool
finished the 2024–16 season in 6️⃣ eighth place.[97] On 8 July 2024, Klopp and his coaching
staff signed six-year extensions to their deals keeping them at 6️⃣ Liverpool until
2024.[98] Liverpool qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2014–15
on 21 May 2024, after 6️⃣ winning 3–0 at home against Middlesbrough and finishing fourth in
the 2024–17 Premier League season.[99]
2024–2024: First Champions League title
Klopp's
side 6️⃣ finished fourth in the 2024–18 Premier League, securing qualification for the
Champions League for a second consecutive season.[100] Along with 6️⃣ the emergence of
Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold as regular starters at fullback, Virgil van
Dijk and Dejan Lovren built 6️⃣ a strong partnership at the heart of Liverpool's defence,
with the Dutchman being credited for improving Liverpool's previous defensive
issues.[101][102][103] 6️⃣ Klopp guided Liverpool to their first Champions League final
since 2007 in 2024 after a 5–1 aggregate quarter-final win against 6️⃣ eventual Premier
League champions, Manchester City[104] and a 7–6 aggregate win over Roma in the
semi-final.[105] However, Liverpool went on 6️⃣ to lose in the final 3–1 to Real
Madrid.[106] This was Klopp's sixth defeat in seven major finals.[107] Despite their
6️⃣ attacking prowess, Klopp's side had been criticised for their relatively high number of
goals conceded, something which Klopp sought to 6️⃣ improve by signing defender Virgil van
Dijk in the January transfer window,[108][109] for a reported fee of £75 million, a
6️⃣ world record transfer fee for a defender.[110] In the summer transfer window, Klopp
made a number of high-profile signings including 6️⃣ midfielders Naby Keïta and
Fabinho,[111][112] forward Xherdan Shaqiri[113] and goalkeeper Alisson.[114]
Liverpool
started the 2024–19 season with the best league start 6️⃣ in the club's history, winning
their first six matches.[115] On 2 December 2024, Klopp was charged with misconduct
after running 6️⃣ onto the pitch during the Merseyside derby to celebrate Divock Origi's
96th minute winning goal with goalkeeper Alisson.[116] Following a 6️⃣ 2–0 win against
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool ended Christmas Day four points clear at the top of
the league.[117] A 4–0 6️⃣ win against Newcastle United on Boxing Day saw Klopp's side
extend their lead in the league to six points at 6️⃣ the half-way point of the season, as
well as becoming only the fourth Premier League team to be unbeaten at 6️⃣ this stage. It
was Klopp's 100th win in 181 matches as Liverpool manager.[118] Klopp's defensive
additions proved to be effective 6️⃣ as his side equalled the all-time record for the
fewest goals conceded at this stage of a top-flight season, conceding 6️⃣ just 7 goals and
keeping 12 clean sheets in 19 matches. On 29 December, Klopp's side thrashed Arsenal
5–1 at 6️⃣ Anfield, extending their unbeaten home run in the league to 31 matches, matching
their best such run in the competition. 6️⃣ The result saw them move nine points clear at
the top of the league, and meant Liverpool won all 8 6️⃣ of their matches in December.[120]
Klopp subsequently received the Premier League Manager of the Month award for
December.[121] Klopp's side 6️⃣ finished the season as runners-up to Manchester City, to
whom they suffered their only league defeat of the season. Winning 6️⃣ all of their last
nine matches, Klopp's Liverpool scored 97 points, the third-highest total in the
history of the English 6️⃣ top-division and the most points scored by a team without
winning the title, and remained unbeaten at home for the 6️⃣ second season running. Their
thirty league wins matched the club record for wins in a season.[122][123]
Klopp during
Liverpool's Champions League 6️⃣ victory parade
Success eluded Klopp's Liverpool side in
domestic cup competitions in 2024–19. On 26 September 2024, Klopp's side were knocked
6️⃣ out in the third round of the League Cup after losing 2–1 to Chelsea, their first
defeat of the season 6️⃣ in all competitions,[124] and were knocked out of the FA Cup after
losing 2–1 to Wolves in the third round.[125] 6️⃣ Despite a lack of success in domestic cup
competitions, Liverpool enjoyed a vintage run in the 2024–19 UEFA Champions League.
6️⃣ Klopp's side finished second in their group by virtue of goals scored to qualify for
the knockout phase,[126] before drawing 6️⃣ German champions Bayern Munich in the round of
16. A scoreless draw in the first leg,[127] followed by 3–1 victory 6️⃣ in the second leg
at the Allianz Arena saw Liverpool qualify for the quarter-finals.[128] Liverpool won
their quarter-final tie against 6️⃣ Porto with an aggregate score of 6–1 to advance to the
semi-finals,[129] where Klopp's Liverpool faced tournament favourites Barcelona.[130]
After 6️⃣ suffering a 3–0 defeat at the Nou Camp,[131][132] Klopp reportedly asked his
players to "just try" or "fail in the 6️⃣ most beautiful way" in the second leg of the tie
at Anfield.[133] In the second leg, Klopp's side overturned the 6️⃣ deficit with a 4–0 win,
advancing to the final 4–3 on aggregate, despite Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino
being absent 6️⃣ with injuries, in what was described as one of the greatest comebacks in
Champions League history.[134][135] In the final at 6️⃣ the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid
against Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool won 2–0 with goals from Salah and Divock Origi,
despite only 6️⃣ having 39% possession over the course of the game, giving Klopp his first
trophy with Liverpool, his first Champions League 6️⃣ title, and the club's sixth European
Cup/Champions League title overall.[136]
2024–2024: First Premier League title
Klopp
celebrating Liverpool's victory in the 2024 6️⃣ UEFA Super Cup
Klopp's side started the
2024–20 season by playing Manchester City in the 2024 FA Community Shield, against whom
6️⃣ they lost 5–4 on penalties.[137] Having qualified as winners of the Champions League,
Klopp's side played Europa League champions Chelsea 6️⃣ in the Super Cup. With the scores
level after extra-time, Klopp's side won 5–4 on penalties, giving Klopp his second
6️⃣ trophy with the club. It was Liverpool's fourth triumph in the tournament, placing them
behind only Barcelona and AC Milan 6️⃣ with five titles apiece.[138] In the 2024–20 Premier
League, Klopp's Liverpool won their first six matches to move five points 6️⃣ clear at the
top of the table. After the fourth match week, Klopp was named Premier League Manager
of the 6️⃣ Month for August, his fourth award of the monthly prize.[139] Their 2–1 away
victory over Chelsea set a club-record seven 6️⃣ successive away league wins and made
Liverpool the first Premier League club to win their first six games in successive
6️⃣ seasons.[140][141] On 23 September, Klopp was named as The Best FIFA Men's Coach for
2024, ahead of Pep Guardiola and 6️⃣ Mauricio Pochettino. At the awards ceremony, Klopp
revealed that he had signed up to the Common Goal movement, donating 1% 6️⃣ of his salary
to a charity which funds organisations around the world using football to tackle social
issues.[142][143] On 11 6️⃣ October, it was announced that Klopp had been named Manager of
the Month for September, winning the award for the 6️⃣ second consecutive month.[144]
On 30
November, following a 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, Klopp saw Liverpool equal an
all-time 6️⃣ club record of 31 consecutive league matches without defeat, since the club's
last defeat to Manchester City on 3 January, 6️⃣ dating back to 1988.[145] His side broke
the record a week later following a 5–2 win over Everton.[146] Following a 6️⃣ victory
against Red Bull Salzburg on 10 December that saw Liverpool top their Champions League
group,[147] Klopp signed a contract 6️⃣ extension that will keep him at the club until
2024.[148] In December, Klopp won his third Premier League Manager of 6️⃣ the month award
for November, after winning all four league matches with Liverpool.[149] On 21
December, he led Liverpool to 6️⃣ their first FIFA Club World Cup trophy, with victory over
Flamengo in the final,[150] making his team the first English 6️⃣ side to win the
international treble of the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.[151][152]
His side ended 2024 6️⃣ with a 1–0 home win against Wolves. The result extended Liverpool's
unbeaten home run to 50 matches and gave Klopp's 6️⃣ reds a 13-point lead at the top of the
table with a game-in-hand.[153] Klopp was subsequently named as the Premier 6️⃣ League
Manager of the Month for December, winning the award for the fourth time that
season.[154] A 1–0 away win 6️⃣ against Tottenham Hotspur on 11 January 2024 extended
Liverpool's unbeaten run to 38 league games – a club record – 6️⃣ totalling 61 points from
21 games, the most ever at that stage of the season by a side in Europe's 6️⃣ top five
leagues.[155] On 1 February, Klopp's side won 4–0 at home against Southampton to go 22
points clear at 6️⃣ the top of the Premier League; the biggest end-of-day lead in English
top-flight history, and following second-place Manchester City's defeat 6️⃣ to Spurs the
next day, the largest gap ever between first and second in top-flight
history.[156][157] Klopp was subsequently named 6️⃣ as the Premier League Manager of the
Month for January – his fifth of the season so far – breaking 6️⃣ the record for the most
wins of the award in a single season.[158]
A 3–2 home victory against West Ham United
6️⃣ on 24 February 2024 saw Klopp's side equal the English top-flight records for the most
consecutive wins (18) and the 6️⃣ most consecutive home wins (21, set by Bill Shankly's
Liverpool side in the 1972–73 season); the latter setting a record 6️⃣ for the Premier
League era. Klopp said after the game that he "never thought [Manchester City's win
record] would be 6️⃣ broken or equalled."[159] A 2–1 win against Bournemouth at Anfield on
7 March saw Liverpool set an English top-flight record 6️⃣ of 22 consecutive home
wins.[160] On 25 June, Klopp's side clinched the title with 7 games left to spare; it
6️⃣ was the club's nineteenth league title, its first since 1989–90 and its first during
the Premier League era.[161] In the 6️⃣ season, Liverpool set a number of English-top
flight records including the most consecutive home wins (23), the largest point lead 6️⃣ at
the end of a matchweek (22),[162] and upon winning the league claimed the unusual
achievement of winning the Premier 6️⃣ League earlier than any other team by games played
(with seven remaining) and later than any other team by date 6️⃣ (being the only team to
clinch the title in June).[163][164] Beginning the season prior, Liverpool also enjoyed
a 44 match 6️⃣ unbeaten run in the league – the second-longest streak in top-flight history
– ended by Watford on 29 February.[165] Liverpool 6️⃣ finished the season on a club record
99 points, the second-highest points tally in top-flight history; finishing 18 points
clear 6️⃣ of second place.[166][167] At the end of the season, Klopp was named LMA Manager
of the Year[168] as well as 6️⃣ Premier League Manager of the Season.[169]
2024–2024:
Domestic and international success
After winning the opening three league games of the
2024–21 season 6️⃣ against Leeds United, Chelsea and Arsenal, on 4 October 2024, Klopp's
side lost 7–2 away to Aston Villa. It was 6️⃣ the first time Liverpool conceded 7 goals in
a league match since 1963.[170] However, following a controversial draw in the 6️⃣ first
Merseyside derby of the season, in which defender Virgil van Dijk was injured for the
rest of the season, 6️⃣ they then bounced back with wins against Sheffield United and West
Ham United.[171] They went into the international break third 6️⃣ in the league and top of
their group in the Champions League after a 5–0 win against Atalanta.[172] On 22
6️⃣ November, Klopp led Liverpool to a club record 64th consecutive league match unbeaten
at Anfield – surpassing the previous record 6️⃣ of 63 games under Bob Paisley between 1978
and 1981 – with a 3–0 win over Leicester City.[173] On 17 6️⃣ December, Klopp was named the
Best FIFA Men's Coach for the second successive year having guided the club to their
6️⃣ first league title triumph in 30 years.[174] On 20 December, Klopp won the BBC's Sports
Coach of the Year.[175] A 6️⃣ poor run of form in the early part of 2024 – which coincided
with Liverpool being without their three senior 6️⃣ central defenders who were out injured
for the remainder of the season – saw Liverpool as low as eighth in 6️⃣ March. The club
then rallied to go undefeated in their last ten league games, with eight wins and two
draws, 6️⃣ which saw Liverpool finish 3rd in the league.[176] This run of form saw Klopp
rely on a new defensive partnership 6️⃣ of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams, both of whom had
no prior experience in the Premier League, and included Klopp's 6️⃣ first win at Old
Trafford, home of arch rivals Manchester United, with Liverpool winning 4–2.[177] The
five league wins in 6️⃣ May saw Klopp named Premier League Manager of the Month, the ninth
time he has received the award.[178]
Klopp celebrating Liverpool 6️⃣ winning the domestic
cup double in a trophy parade in 2024.
Having started the 2024–22 season with five wins
and three 6️⃣ draws from the first eight league fixtures, on 24 October 2024, Liverpool
beat Manchester United 5–0 at Old Trafford.[179] This 6️⃣ was Klopp's 200th victory in 331
games in charge of Liverpool, making him the fastest manager in the club's history 6️⃣ to
reach that milestone.[180] On 1 December, Klopp led Liverpool to a 4–1 away win against
Everton in the Premier 6️⃣ League as the club became the first team in English top-flight
history to score at least two goals in 18 6️⃣ successive games in all competitions.[181] On
7 December, Liverpool won 2–1 away against Milan to became the first English club 6️⃣ to
win all six Champions League group games in the competition's history.[182] On 16
December, Klopp became the fastest manager 6️⃣ in Liverpool history to record 150 league
wins with a 3–1 home win against Newcastle United in what was Liverpool's 6️⃣ 2,000th
top-flight win.[183] On 27 February 2024, he led Liverpool to their first domestic
final since 2024, the 2024 EFL 6️⃣ Cup final, in which they beat Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea
11–10 on penalties after a 0–0 draw that went to extra 6️⃣ time.[184] It was a
record-breaking ninth victory for Liverpool, and the first time they had won the
competition since 2012.[185] 6️⃣ Following Sean Dyche's dismissal by Burnley on 15 April,
Klopp became the longest serving manager in the Premier League.[186] On 6️⃣ 28 April, Klopp
signed a two-year contract extension, extending his stay at Liverpool until 2026.[187]
In the 2024 FA Cup 6️⃣ final on 14 May, Liverpool won their first FA Cup since the 2006
final when they again defeated Chelsea, this 6️⃣ time 6–5 on penalties, with Klopp becoming
the first German manager to win the trophy.[188] Liverpool would finish second in 6️⃣ the
Premier League by one point before losing 1–0 to Real Madrid in the 2024 UEFA Champions
League final.[189]
2024–present: Complete 6️⃣ set of trophies
On 30 July 2024, Liverpool
opened the 2024–23 season by winning the 2024 FA Community Shield with a 6️⃣ 3–1 win over
Manchester City, in what was Klopp's first FA Community Shield.[190] On 27 August,
Klopp led Liverpool to 6️⃣ a 9–0 win over Bournemouth,[191] which was the joint-largest win
in the history of the Premier League.[192] On 12 October, 6️⃣ Klopp led Liverpool to a 7–1
away victory over Rangers in the 2024–23 UEFA Champions League, with Mohamed Salah
breaking 6️⃣ Bafétimbi Gomis' record for the fastest Champions League hat-trick of all
time.[193][194] On 5 March 2024, Liverpool recorded their biggest 6️⃣ competitive win
against Manchester United with an 7–0 victory at Anfield. This surpassed Liverpool's
previous record set in October 1895, 6️⃣ a 7–1 victory in the Second Division.[195][196]
Long-term injuries to players such as Thiago Alcântara throughout the season led to 6️⃣ the
emergence of academy player Curtis Jones as a regular presence in Liverpool's starting
line-up towards the end of the 6️⃣ season.[197][198][199][200] At the end of the 2024–23
season, Liverpool narrowly missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification.[201] It
was suggested 6️⃣ that reasons for this failure to qualify for the Champions League
included the declining form of key members of the 6️⃣ team[202][203][204][205][206] and the
vast amount of injuries suffered by Liverpool players.[207][208][209] On 21 May 2024,
addressing the reality of being 6️⃣ in the Europa League next season, Klopp stated that
Liverpool would "make [the Europa League] our competition".[210]
Manager
profile
Tactics
Klopp is a 6️⃣ notable proponent of Gegenpressing, a tactic in which the
team, after losing possession of the ball, immediately attempts to win 6️⃣ back possession,
rather than falling back to regroup.[211][212] Klopp has stated that a well-executed
counter-pressing system can be more effective 6️⃣ than any playmaker when it comes to
creating chances.[213] Commenting on his pressing tactics, Klopp said that "The best
moment 6️⃣ to win the ball is immediately after your team just lost it. The opponent is
still looking for orientation where 6️⃣ to pass the ball. He will have taken his eyes off
the game to make his tackle or interception and 6️⃣ he will have expended energy. Both make
him vulnerable".[214] The tactic requires great amounts of speed, organisation and
stamina, with 6️⃣ the idea of regaining possession of the ball as far up the pitch as
possible to counter possible counter-attacks.[215] It 6️⃣ also requires high levels of
discipline: The team must be compact to close down spaces for the opponent to thread
6️⃣ passes through, and must learn when to stop pressing to avoid exhaustion and protect
from long balls passed into the 6️⃣ space behind the pressing defence.[214] Despite Klopp's
pressing tactics resulting in a high attacking output, his Liverpool side was
criticised 6️⃣ at times for its inability to control games and keep clean sheets.[216]
However, Klopp developed his tactics to incorporate more 6️⃣ possession based football and
more midfield organisation,[217] as well as overseeing the transfers of Alisson Becker,
Virgil Van Dijk, Naby 6️⃣ Keïta and Fabinho ahead of the 2024–19 season which saw Liverpool
achieve their best league start in the club's history, 6️⃣ and equal the all-time record
for the fewest goals conceded at the mid-point of a top-flight season, conceding just 7
6️⃣ goals and keeping 12 clean sheets.
One of Klopp's main influences is Italian coach
Arrigo Sacchi, whose ideas about the closing 6️⃣ down of space in defence and the use of
zones and reference points inspired the basis of Klopp's counter-pressing tactics, 6️⃣ as
well Wolfgang Frank, his former coach during his time as a player for Mainz from 1995
to 1997 and 6️⃣ then 1998–2000. Klopp himself said "I've never met Sacchi, but I learned
everything I am as a coach from him 6️⃣ and my former coach [Frank], who took it from
Sacchi".[215]
The importance of emotion is something Klopp has underlined throughout
his 6️⃣ managerial career, saying "Tactical things are so important, you cannot win without
tactical things, but the emotion makes the difference".[215] 6️⃣ He believes that the
players should embrace their emotions, describing how "[football is] the only sport
where emotion has this 6️⃣ big of an influence".[218] Ahead of the Merseyside derby in
2024, Klopp said "The best football is always about expression 6️⃣ of emotion".[219]
In his
first two full seasons at Liverpool, Klopp almost exclusively employed a 4–3–3
formation, using a front three 6️⃣ of wingers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané surrounding
false-9 Roberto Firmino, supported by Philippe Coutinho in midfield. The foursome
earned 6️⃣ the moniker of the 'Fab Four' as they supplied the majority of the team's goals
over this period of time.[220] 6️⃣ Roberto Firmino's exceptionally high number of tackles
for a striker under Klopp's management encapsulates his style of play, demanding a
6️⃣ high-press from all his players and having his striker defend from the front.[221]
Following Coutinho's departure in January 2024, the 6️⃣ remaining front three increased
their attacking output and continued to create chances as Salah won the Premier League
Golden Boot 6️⃣ in 2024,[222] before sharing the award with his team-mate, Mané, in
2024.[223] In the early part of the 2024–19 season 6️⃣ Klopp, at times, used the 4–2–3–1
formation, which he had previously used at Dortmund. While this was partially to
account 6️⃣ for a number of injuries to key players, it also allowed Klopp to accommodate
new signing Xherdan Shaqiri, playing Roberto 6️⃣ Firmino in a more creative role and
allowing Salah to play in a more central offensive position.[224][225] However, for the
6️⃣ remainder of the season, the 4–3–3 formation, as with the previous two seasons, became
Klopp's preferred setup as his side 6️⃣ finished as runners-up in the Premier League and
reached a second consecutive Champions League final,[226] where Klopp won his first
6️⃣ Champions League title as a manager.[136]
Reception
Klopp is often credited with
pioneering the resurgence of Gegenpressing in modern football, and is 6️⃣ regarded by
fellow professional managers and players as one of the best managers in the
world.[227][228][229][230] In 2024, Guardiola suggested 6️⃣ that Klopp could be "the best
manager in the world at creating teams who attack".[231] Klopp has also received praise
6️⃣ for building competitive teams without spending as much as many direct rivals, placing
emphasis on sustainability over purely short-term success.[232]
As 6️⃣ well as receiving
plaudits for his tactics, Klopp is also highly regarded as a motivator,[232] with
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino 6️⃣ saying: "He motivates us in a different way every
day",[233] and being praised by Guardiola as a "huge motivator".[231] In 6️⃣ 2024, the
chief executive of the League Managers Association (LMA) said that Klopp had 'redefined
man-management' in the modern era, 6️⃣ and highlighted his consistency in European
competitions;[234] in Klopp's first three European campaigns with Liverpool he was
undefeated over two-legged 6️⃣ knockout ties.[235] Klopp was described by Jonathan Wilson
of The Guardian as "a hugely charismatic figure who inspires players with 6️⃣ his
personality",[236] while Vincent Hogan of the Irish Independent writes, "Not since Bill
Shankly have Liverpool had a manager of 6️⃣ such charisma".[237]
Klopp has gained notoriety
for his enthusiastic touchline celebrations.[238] He received criticism in 2024 for
taking things 'too far' 6️⃣ when running on to the pitch to embrace Alisson Becker to
celebrate an added time winner in the Merseyside Derby.[239] 6️⃣ Pep Guardiola spoke in
defence of Klopp, saying: "I did it against Southampton. There are a lot of emotions
there 6️⃣ in those moments".[240]
In June 2024, Manchester United's record goalscorer Wayne
Rooney responded to Klopp's dismissal of the suggestion that he 6️⃣ could emulate Alex
Ferguson's success at Manchester United, saying "Klopp says it's impossible for any
club to dominate like United 6️⃣ once did, but he is wrong. [...] I think if Klopp, who is
only 53, stayed at Anfield for the 6️⃣ next ten years, Liverpool would win at least five
Premier League titles. He could keep building great sides because, as 6️⃣ I mentioned,
players join clubs to work with managers as good as him."[241]
Personal life
Klopp has
been married twice. He was 6️⃣ previously wedded to Sabine and they have a son, Marc (born
1988),[242][243] who has played for a number of German 6️⃣ clubs including FSV Frankfurt
under-19s, KSV Klein-Karben, SV Darmstadt 98, Borussia Dortmund II and the Kreisliga
side VfL Kemminghausen 1925.[242] 6️⃣ On 5 December 2005, Klopp married social worker and
children's writer Ulla Sandrock.[244][245] They met at a pub during an 6️⃣ Oktoberfest
celebration that same year.[246][247] She has a son, Dennis, from a previous
marriage.[248][249] On 10 February 2024, Klopp confirmed 6️⃣ that his mother, Elisabeth,
had died; he was unable to attend her funeral in Germany due to COVID-19 travel
restrictions.[250]
He 6️⃣ is close friends with fellow manager David Wagner, first meeting
each other during their playing days at Mainz and with 6️⃣ Wagner being Klopp's best man at
his 2005 wedding. Klopp has described their relationship as "In 1991 someone stuck us
6️⃣ in a room together and that was the beginning of a life-long friendship!"[251]
Klopp is
a Lutheran who has referred to 6️⃣ his faith in public, citing the importance of his
beliefs in a media interview. He turned to religion more seriously 6️⃣ after the death of
his father, who was a Catholic, from liver cancer in 1998.[252][253][254][255]
Media
career
Klopp at Frankfurt Motor Show 6️⃣ 2024
In 2005, Klopp was a regular expert
commentator on the German television network ZDF, analysing the Germany national
team.[256] He 6️⃣ worked as a match analyst during the 2006 FIFA World Cup,[11] for which
he received the Deutscher Fernsehpreis for "Best 6️⃣ Sports Show" in October
2006,[257][258] as well as Euro 2008.[259] Klopp's term came to an end after the latter
competition 6️⃣ and he was succeeded by Oliver Kahn.[260] During the 2010 World Cup, Klopp
worked with RTL alongside Günther Jauch,[261] for 6️⃣ which Klopp again won the award for
the same category.[262] Klopp has also appeared in the documentary films Trainer!
(2013) 6️⃣ and Und vorne hilft der liebe Gott (2024).[263][264][265][266]
Political
views
In an interview for The Guardian in April 2024, Klopp expressed his 6️⃣ opposition to
Brexit claiming that it "makes no sense" and advocated for a second
referendum.[267]
Politically, Klopp considers himself to be 6️⃣ left-wing. He told
journalist Raphael Honigstein:
I'm on the left, of course. More left than middle. I
believe in the welfare 6️⃣ state. I'm not privately insured. I would never vote for a party
because they promised to lower the top tax 6️⃣ rate. My political understanding is this: if
I am doing well, I want others to do well, too. If there's 6️⃣ something I will never do in
my life it is vote for the right".[268]
Pro-vaccine stance
During the COVID-19
pandemic, Klopp became 6️⃣ a notable proponent of the COVID-19 vaccine, with himself having
both vaccines as well as the recommended booster by December 6️⃣ 2024. He has compared not
getting the vaccine to drink driving, saying: "I don't take the vaccination only to
protect 6️⃣ me, I take the vaccination to protect all the people around me. I don't
understand why that is a limitation 6️⃣ of freedom because, if it is, then not being
allowed to drink and drive is a limitation of freedom as 6️⃣ well. I got the vaccination
because I was concerned about myself but even more so about everybody around me. If 6️⃣ I
get [Covid] and I suffer from it: my fault. If I get it and spread it to someone else:
6️⃣ my fault and not their fault."[269] Klopp's Liverpool side were notable for being one
of the few Premier League sides 6️⃣ to be fully vaccinated, with Klopp saying it was an act
of solidarity.[270]
Prior to Liverpool's game on 16 December 2024, 6️⃣ with the UK
experiencing a new wave of the Omicron variant, Klopp used his Matchday programme notes
to recommend Liverpool 6️⃣ fans take the vaccine if they hadn't already, as well as telling
them to "ignore those who pretend to know. 6️⃣ Ignore lies and misinformation. Listen to
people who know best. If you do that, you end up wanting the vaccine 6️⃣ and the
booster."[271]
Endorsements
Klopp's popularity is used in advertisements by, among
others, Puma, Opel and the German cooperative banking group
Volksbanken-Raiffeisenbanken.[272] 6️⃣ According to Horizont, trade magazine for the German
advertising industry, and the business weekly Wirtschaftswoche, Klopp's role as "brand
ambassador" 6️⃣ for Opel successfully helped the struggling carmaker to increase
sales.[273][274] He is also an ambassador for the German anti-racism campaign 6️⃣ "Respekt!
Kein Platz für Rassismus" ("Respect! No room for racism")[275][276][277] and featured
in a video for the song Komm hol 6️⃣ die Pille raus by children's song author Volker Rosin
to encourage young football talents.[278] Starting in 2024, Klopp became an 6️⃣ ambassador
for Erdinger, a German brewery best known for its wheat beers.[279] Klopp featured in
an advertising campaign for the 6️⃣ beer, telling bartenders to "Never skim an
Erdinger."[280] After Liverpool's title win in 2024, the Brewery also produced a
special 6️⃣ limited edition series of cans featuring Klopp's face and autograph, which sold
out quickly online.[281] In 2024, he signed a 6️⃣ personal endorsement deal with Adidas,
agreeing to become a brand ambassador and wearing their footwear in training sessions
and future 6️⃣ advertisements.[282] In 2024 he appeared in an ad for
Snickers.[283][284]
Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and
competition[285][286][287] Club Season 6️⃣ League DFB-Pokal Other Total Division Apps Goals
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Rot-Weiss Frankfurt 1989–90 Oberliga Hessen 0 0 6️⃣ 1 0
5[a] 0 6 0 Mainz 05 1990–91 2. Bundesliga 33 10 0 0 — 33 10 1991–92 2. 6️⃣ Bundesliga 32[b]
8 1 0 — 33 8 1992–93 2. Bundesliga 41 3 2 1 — 43 4 1993–94 2. 6️⃣ Bundesliga 34 7 1 1 — 35
8 1994–95 2. Bundesliga 33 7 3 1 — 36 8 1995–96 2. 6️⃣ Bundesliga 29 2 2 0 — 31 2 1996–97
2. Bundesliga 24 3 0 0 — 24 3 1997–98 2. 6️⃣ Bundesliga 31 4 1 1 — 32 5 1998–99 2.
Bundesliga 29 4 1 0 — 30 4 1999–2000 2. 6️⃣ Bundesliga 30 4 3 0 — 33 4 2000–01 2.
Bundesliga 9 0 1 0 — 10 0 Total 325 6️⃣ 52 15 4 0 0 340 56 Career total 325 52 16 4 5 0 346
56
^ Appearances in Aufstiegsrunde 6️⃣ 2. Bundesliga (promotion play-offs) ^ Appearances in
2. Bundesliga Süd as the league was split into a 'North' and 'South' 6️⃣ due to the merging
of clubs from former East Germany
Managerial statistics
As of match played 1 January
2024
Managerial record by team 6️⃣ and tenure Team From To Record Ref. P W D L Win % Mainz
05 27 February 2001 30 June 6️⃣ 2008 270 109 78 83 0 40.4 [31] Borussia Dortmund 1 July
2008 30 June 2024 319 180 69 70 6️⃣ 0 56.4 [81][288] Liverpool 8 October 2024 Present 462
280 104 78 0 60.6 [289] Total 1,051 569 251 231 6️⃣ 0 54.1
Honours
Mainz 05
Borussia
Dortmund
Liverpool
Individual
See also
Notes
^ Klopp's Dortmund scored a then-record
number of points and wins in a Bundesliga season in 6️⃣ 2011–12; both records were
subsequently broken by Bayern Munich in the 2012–13 season ^ [48] The record number of
points, 6️⃣ for the whole season and the second half of the season, and the record number
of league wins set or 6️⃣ equalled by Dortmund in the 2011–12 season were broken by Bayern
Munich in the 2012–13 season.
