Former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has today been unveiled as the new manager of Liverpool, after penning a three-year deal on the red half of Merseyside, and the determined German has outlined his immediate and long-term intentions at Anfield following his arrival on the Premier League stage.
Speaking to the media in his maiden press conference in his new surroundings, the 48-year-old, who is 25/1 with Coral to win his first three top-flight games in charge, has admitted his immense pride and claimed it won’t be long until he is back into the swing of managerial proceedings once again.
Never ever seen a better press conference from a new manager! The energy, how he speaks, everything! Give this guy time! What a man! @LFC
“Usually I am now on holiday, but in a few days I’ll be back in the race. It’s the biggest honour I can imagine, for me at one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Klopp.
“To be given this opportunity to try to help a situation that’s not so difficult as people here think. It’s not that perfect moment of course but it’s a good moment to come here. I feel really proud.”
The former Bundesliga coach admitted taking over at Liverpool is the perfect step for him in his managerial career, following seven impressive years with Dortmund, and he is keen to get to work in a city that he feels has a genuine passion for their football.
“The intensity of the football. How the people live football in Liverpool, around Liverpool, all Liverpool fans all over the world,” Klopp continued.
“It’s not a normal club, it’s a special club. I had two special clubs. This now is a perfect next step or me to be now here and try to help.”
The Reds currently sit in 10th position in the top tier table after Brendan Rodgers’ indifferent tenure, but are only six points adrift of leaders and title-favourites Manchester City, and Klopp has challenged Liverpool fans to start believing in their team once again.
“The Premier League is one of the most difficult leagues in the world. Only one can be the champion but five, six or seven clubs could be. We have to develop.
“This is a good moment. It is not important who is the winner of the Premier League, only that we play our own game and feel the confidence and trust of the people. We have to change from doubters to believers.”
Donning a sharp black suit and his trademark glasses, Klopp also had his say on the club’s transfer policy, hinting that he will have the final say on the ins and outs in his inherited Reds squad.
“This is a crazy discussion. It is not a problem. We have talked about it. I am not an idiot,” declared the German, who is 4/1 to sign Marco Reus from his former club before the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
“All we want to discuss is very good players. I need other people to get the perfect information. When we have this we sign or sell a player. But it is very easy to handle.”
In 2004, Jose Mourinho announced himself on the Premier League platform in style, infamously praising himself as ‘the Special One, but Klopp gave a more humble assessment of himself.
“I don’t want to describe myself. I am a totally normal guy. I am the normal one maybe? I had a great opportunity to take Dortmund for seven years. And now I am here. I want to enjoy my work. People have told me a lot about the English press. It is up to you to show me they are all liars,” he added.
Klopp is 7/2 to lift a major trophy in his debut season in charge, but the former Mainz manager has pleaded for patience and declared that he could be holding the title within four campaigns at Anfield.
“It is surreal. But I have to accept this. I don’t care about things like this. I am a normal football manager and I want to work with the team and be on the pitch. When I left Dortmund, I felt it was not so important what people think when you come in but what they feel when you leave.
“I ask, please give us time. If you are patient and are prepared to work, in a special Liverpool way we can be successful. If I am sitting here in four years, we will win one title in this time.”
Enjoyed the Jurgen Klopp press conference he seems the Didi Hamann type of German!
Klopp is a true football romantic, evident from his reign in Germany, and he finished off by admitting his absolute joy at taking over on Merseyside, ahead of what is sure to be an entertaining campaign for Liverpool.
“I’m a football romantic. I love all these stories and all the histories about this. Of course Anfield is one of the best places in the football world, it was my first time and I thought a bit about it and how it would be,” he concluded.
“Now I am here and it seems to be that I’m a really lucky guy. It’s a really good moment for me. I’m really looking forward to the first training with the players for the first match. I am prepared. I am absolutely relaxed, I had four months holiday. Everything is perfect. I am in best shape.”
