Jurgen Klopp's most iconic managerial moments for Mainz, Dortmund and Liverpool
- Simon Bullock
- 11 December 2021
The Liverpool boss is one of the best coaches in the world and has won league titles in two different countries.
Over the course of his 20 years in management, Jurgen Klopp has proven himself as one of the best managers in the world.
A warm, likeable character with a glowing smile that you just cannot miss, Klopp is one of few coaches adored by fans and the media.
To celebrate, Planet Sport looks at some of the German's most iconic moments.
Taking charge at Mainz 05
After spending most of his playing career at Mainz, Klopp was appointed as manager in February 2001. In his third season in charge, he guided Mainz to promotion from 2. Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history.
This came after being denied promotion the year before on goal difference. Klopp continued to impress with Die Nullfunfer in the Bundesliga, leading his team to an 11th placed finish the following season on a shoestring budget.
Despite suffering relegation in 2006/07, Klopp stayed on with Mainz for a season before resigning from his post. His work at Mainz had not gone unnoticed as Borussia Dortmund managed to see off competition from Bayern Munich to land his signature as boss.
Bundesliga winner
Borussia Dortmund choosing Klopp as their next manager was a curious appointment. In his only other job at Mainz he had shown how well he could manage on a limited budget, but how would he fare at Dortmund with far more resources at his disposal?
Very well was the answer as he led BVB from a disappointing 13th finish to the Bundesliga title within three seasons. A host of other domestic trophies were won as well as reaching the Champions League final in 2012/13.
Dortmund would lose to rivals Bayern in the final thanks to an 89th minute goal by Arjen Robben. Klopp departed from the club after the 2014/15 season following a tough campaign and departed as one of the club's greatest managers.
Rebuilding Liverpool
Klopp's next job would see him tasked with trying to turn around the fortunes of a struggling Liverpool squad. After falling away under the management of Brendan Rodgers, Klopp knew he was beginning a long-term process - similar to his tenure at Dortmund.
The German outlined his intention to win trophies within four years. Progress was made gradually, and Liverpool finished eighth, fourth, fourth and second in their first four Premier League seasons under Klopp.
The squad was overhauled with players recruited who could handle his high-intensity brand of football. Gone were the days of Christian Benteke, Joe Allen and Steven Caulker and in came players of a higher calibre, such as Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Nearly four years had gone without any trophies to show for, up until the very last game of 2018/19 but when it came, it was worth the wait. Liverpool won their sixth European title before winning a first league title in 30 years the following season.
Funny moments in the media
Throughout his time in England, Klopp has shown himself to be very affable with the media in press conferences and post-match interviews. Some of his funnier moments include: calling his players "f***ing giants" live on TV after a 4-0 win over Barcelona.
He justified his choice of words by saying "most of the children are probably in bed" and admitted he was "half-p***d" during his Champions League final post-match interview.
An honourable mention must also go to a Champions League pre-match press conference ahead of a game against PSG. Klopp described a translator's voice in his ear as being "very erotic", before congratulating him on his voice and asking for him to speak again. It sent a room full of journalists into rapturous laughter.
Winning the Champions League
Heading into Liverpool's Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur, much had been made about Klopp's poor record in cup finals. The manager was under extra scrutiny after the Red's disappointing showing in Kiev against Real Madrid a year earlier.
That hoodoo was put to bed though, with a comfortable 2-0 win earning Liverpool their first Champions League title for 14 years. More success was to come as well, with victory in the resulting Super Cup and Club World Cup - the latter being the only trophy to elude them in its history.
The Premier League was the one that Liverpool fans were so desperate for Klopp to deliver. His team fell two points short in 2018/19, but stormed to the title a season later, finishing top of the Premier League on 99 points - 18 ahead of second placed Manchester City.
It was a deserved win for Klopp and his players, who had been nothing short of incredible for two straight seasons.
A unique tactical style
Klopp has always been a big proponent of Gegenpressing, using the tactic as the main way of setting up his teams.
"If you win the ball back high up the pitch and you are close to the goal, it is only one pass away from a really good opportunity most of the time," Klopp said about his love for high-pressing. No playmaker in the world can be as good as a good counter-pressing situation."
It is a way of playing that had never been utilised in England to much effect prior to Klopp's arrival, but it's application in the Premier League has been an unquestionable success.
Klopp's methods have been praised by many in the game, with League Managers Association Chief Executive Richard Bevan describing Klopp as having "redefined man-management in the modern era."
In recent years, the German's methods have contrasted nicely with those of Pep Guardiola. The two of them continue to battle it out at the top of the Premier League while maintaining significantly different philosophies.
Guardiola's Manchester City offer an alternative to Liverpool, with more focus on possession and movement, whereas Klopp's 'heavy metal' brand of football is more aggressive. There is no right or wrong answer as to how each team should play and we, as fans, should enjoy having such talented coaches in the Premier League while they are here.
Best coach in the world
After guiding Liverpool to four major trophies in 2019 and 2020, Klopp received numerous individual accolades for his work, including winning The Best FIFA Men's Coach two years in a row.
He won similar awards from various other organisations, but to win the FIFA version is seen as the highest honour any manager could win.
During the Premier League winning season, Klopp won five consecutive Premier League Manager of the Month awards between August 2019 and January 2020 as he guided his team to an incredible 79 points from an 81 available.
He was also the recipient of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award, demonstrating the magnitude of his achievements outside of football and in a wider sporting context.
