For the longest time, I didn’t like Jurgen Klopp. I first became aware of him while he was managing Borussia Dortmund. For me, his trademark gegenpress tactics choked the beauty and creativity out of football and replaced them with running and pressing. To be successful, his teams just needed fitness and a finisher, and they weren’t fun to watch.
Then in October 2015, he went to Liverpool, and because I’m an Arsenal supporter, I was inclined to continue disliking him. His sideline demeanor and antics struck me as manufactured and hyper-exaggerated, which was off-putting. He seemed to be trying too hard at everything.
But he’s grown on me.
It started with Klopp’s letter in response to a 10-year old Manchester United fan who wrote him to ask if Liverpool could lose in the Premier League because he didn’t want them to go undefeated. That he wrote the young boy back is cool, and he passed along a few lessons as well.
The problem is when you are ten years old you think that things will always be as they are now but if there is one thing I can tell you as 52 years old it is that this most definitely isn’t the case.
…although our clubs are great rivals we also share a great respect for one another. This, to me, is what football is all about.
In truth, my liking for Klopp probably should have started sooner. The best window we have into who footballing celebrities really are comes through interviews and press conferences. Klopp grades out well. He’s well-spoken and insightful, and his answers to the media demonstrate a self-awareness that he pairs well with self-effacing humor. He was recently asked a question about coronavirus; his response was perfect.
What I don’t like in life is that a very serious thing, a football manager’s opinion is important. I don’t understand that. I really don’t understand it, if I asked you, you are in exactly the same role as I am. So it’s not important what famous people say. We have to speak about things in the right manner, not people with no knowledge, like me, talking about something. People with knowledge will talk about it and tell people to do this, do that, and everything will be fine, or not. Not football managers, I don’t understand that. Politics, coronavirus, why me? I wear a baseball cap and have a bad shave. I’m concerned like everyone else. I live on this planet and I want it to be safe and healthy, I wish everybody the best, absolutely. But my opinion on coronavirus is not important.
I really like that answer. It’s honest, it’s realistic, it’s smart, and he threw in a dash of humor. He answers most questions like that. His responses seem real, which makes me think his demonstrative passion on the sidelines and after matches is real too. He seems like the Premier League Steve Kerr — a great coach but more importantly, a good guy.
Coincidentally, my initial dislike turned respect and appreciation of Klopp is similar to my feelings on the German national team. I used to really not like them. I thought they played an overly physical, brutal style of unattractive football. Then came Das Reboot, where the DFB completely overhauled their national team program. They started playing efficient, direct football that I enjoyed watching. Perhaps the change in attitude is not a coincidence. Maybe that’s how I am with Germany and football. Then again with the national team, it could also have just been Mesut Özil
I’ll always root against Liverpool because that’s what Arsenal fans do. But I’ve come around on Klopp. I’m fine to see him win the league, especially now that the Invincibles record will stand another season. I may even be happy for him. Now Liverpool supporters, that’s another story. Don’t think I’ll ever come ’round on that lot.
The Lukewarm Take 