By Catherine Cranston
Departing manager Jürgen Klopp and the Liverpool faithful have a mutual connection and love that goes beyond the eight trophies he won during his nine-year tenure in Liverpool.
Within days of his departure Klopp’s new Instagram account had over 2.7 million followers: @kloppo.
Not only was Klopp an excellent manager for Liverpool FC, he made supporters believe again. He gave them hope, he wore his heart on his sleeve, and was quick to take a stand against wrongs, whether in football, politics, or life. This was a man who transcended the sport and the two clubs on Merseyside. He became a Scouser.
As Klopp said during his very first press conference in October, 2015: “It’s not important what people think when you come in, it’s much more important what people think when you leave.”
Click here to see some of the highlights in photos from Klopp’s LFC tenure.
I spoke to Liverpool supporters in Liverpool and Sydney to tell us in their own words what Klopp meant to them.
Q: How do you think Liverpool FC and its supporters changed during Klopp’s time on Merseyside?
Ian (Sydney): “Obviously there is the answer that we changed from doubters to believers, but I see it as deeper than that. A German import bought into the Liverpool way. He became ‘one of us’.
“He understood us. He got the whole Liverpool community. He learned the history and how important it was to the club. He breathed a breath of fresh air into the club when we really needed it. Due to these actions we accepted him and it’s as if he became a family member who happened to be the Boss of our club.”
Paul (Liverpool): “For the club and its supporters, the change that took place during Klopp’s time was, if anything, a kind of backwards one. A restoring of the connection between them that had served them so well in previous eras. Good times returned. Civic pride surged. Klopp made it happen.”
Louise (Liverpool): “Klopp revitalised Liverpool with his passion, success and his ability to reconnect the fanbase with its rich history of winning. This will be his lasting legacy. Klopp’s time at Anfield will be remembered not just for the trophies we won but for the genuine bond that was created with the supporters. As Arne Slot steps into the role as head coach he inherits a club that has been transformed by Klopp’s vision and enthusiasm and that provides a strong foundation for the next chapter in our history.”
Q: What influence if any did Jurgen have on you personally?
Paul (Liverpool): “I can’t say, never having met him, Klopp influenced me personally. But yesterday at Anfield, listening to him address fifty-odd thousand of us, without notes and in a second language, I realised I’d never in my life heard such a natural communicator speak. I took it to be a lesson. No other talent can match a gift for honesty.”
Nicola (Sydney): “He made me love LFC again – reignited the passion I had back in the 1980s through his passion and I actually started going out to games at NSW’s ‘spiritual home’ and being involved in the supporters club. Who would have thought that a greying 50+ German dodgy dancer who doesn’t know I exist would make me, and the Red people, happy.”
Louise (Liverpool): “Jurgen has influenced me personally with his passion and enthusiasm. Inspiring me to approach my studies and writing with similar enthusiasm and dedication. Jurgen’s resilience and perseverance in his ability to bounce back from defeats and to strive for improvement has motivated me to persevere through life’s challenges. Jurgen’s authenticity and integrity in both his professional and personal life inspires me to stay true to myself. With his straightforward, honest communication style and his willingness to show his emotions are reminders that we can find strength if we are true to ourselves.”
Ian (Sydney): “As I’ve matured, I’ve understood that LFC is more than just results. It’s a community that stand together in good times and bad times. Jürgen bought into this and subliminally sold it to our supporters. He reeled me into thinking this way.”
Read more on Liverpool’s famous victory.
Q: If you had to describe Jurgen in a sentence, what would it say?
Nicola (Sydney): “Crazy, intense, heartfelt, fiery, emotional, spirited and overall genuine human being who provided Reds everywhere with some of the best memories of their life.”
Paul (Liverpool): “If it was up to me to write the inscription on Jürgen Klopp’s, inevitable, statue, it would say: ‘He made the people happy again’.”
Grace (Sydney): “A humble, respectful and charismatic man and coach.”
Bishoy (Sydney): “For a normal guy he’s also a world-class human being, putting smiles on our faces with literally everything he said and did.”
Ian (Sydney): “Jürgen wasn’t just the LFC manager, he was our guardian who lead us through the storm to the golden skies on an unforgettable journey.”
After his final match at Anfield, Klopp went through a line of players, not once but twice, before making a heartfelt speech to the 50,000-strong crowd. Little did anyone suspect that he would pass the baton to the next manager, Dutchman Arne Slot, in true Klopp style by starting a chant. “Arne Slot, La, La, La, La, La”, which of course the crowd then repeated in unison with him.
And after a final fist pump celebration starting at the Kop end of Anfield, the Klopp era had come to a close on Merseyside.
We may not see Klopp while he takes a much-needed sabbatical, unless you happen to be at the upcoming Taylor Swift concert in Liverpool, but you can always follow him on Instagram just like I have – @kloppo.
Featured image: Jurgen Klopp forged a love affair with Liverpool’s fans. Photos: Terry Kearney, James Offer/CC/flickr
