Gary Lineker meets Jürgen Klopp at Melwood, Liverpool Football Club’s training complex in this brilliant and insightful interview.
“In the time I spent with him, Jurgen Klopp was enigmatic, larger than life and extremely quick-witted,” said Lineker.
“He is quite unique as a football manager in many ways, and that is what makes him so entertaining. He was great value in the in-depth interview I did with him for The Premier League Show.
“I met Jurgen in his office at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground and it was good to get to know him and get an insight into his thinking football-wise, and away from the game too.
“Most top-level managers are pretty guarded but Jurgen was not just hugely charismatic when I spoke to him, he was also pretty honest and frank.
“He spoke quite candidly to me about a lot of things and it was refreshing to meet a manager who is so open like that, especially someone who is ‘box office’ too.
“His man-management skills are very interesting and it was great to get an insight from him into his thinking there, because you can tell he is the kind of guy that gets the best out of people.
“He also explains his general ethos with his teams – not just the way he likes them to play, but the thinking behind that.
“One of the first things he said when he took the Liverpool job was that he had to turn people from doubters into believers – on the pitch and off it – and his personality is a big part of the reason that is happening.
“Results have been a bit up and down and performances inconsistent, but I think you can see a progression and gradual morphing as this becomes his team.
“That takes time for any manager, especially when you play in a different way to the previous incumbent, but I sensed when I was in the area that he has got the Liverpool fans behind him, and that comes across at games too.
“From talking to him, I know he understands the history and traditions of the club and respects the achievements of its previous managers.
“We saw at Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles and took them to the Champions League final, that he is a terrific coach with a great record. If you put all that together, it is a great combination.
“There will always be questions when Liverpool lose and some supporters will always complain, but the general feeling is still that they are going in the right direction under Klopp.
“I can understand why. He is a very funny man, with a great sense of humour, and clearly very intelligent as well.”
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