Not many would doubt Jurgen Klopp's credentials as one of the greatest managers of all time. The charismatic German remains one of the most successful football masterminds of the 21st century, dominating wherever he went.
Having completed back-to-back Bundesliga titles at Borussia Dortmund, the tactician became a huge hit at Liverpool. Ending their 30-year league title drought by capturing a maiden Premier League crown, he also lifted numerous domestic cups, as well as a prestigious Champions League honour in 2018/19.
Although he departed Anfield in 2024, Klopp remains involved in the game as part of Red Bull's Head of Global Soccer. And the two-time FIFA Men's Coach of the Year was recently asked to pick the four greatest managers in football history.
Klopp (1) Related
Jurgen Klopp Named His 3 Greatest Players in Football History
Jurgen Klopp, 58, snubbed the likes of and Ronaldo Nazario and Cristiano Ronaldo when naming the three best footballers to ever live.
Klopp Includes Pep Guardiola in All-Time Manager List
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola embrace
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola embrace
Asked to name the four managers who would make his Mount Rushmore, Klopp started out by naming former Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff, who revolutionised the game as both a player and manager. A pioneer of the free-flowing 'Total Football' philosophy, the German hailed the three-time Ballon d'Or winner as the, "most influential football coach I have ever heard of."
"The way he saw football, the way he understood football, is just second to none."
He went on to then pay homage to his former rival and friend Pep Guardiola, with the pair locking horns in both Germany and England. He faced the Spaniard on 30 occasions, more than anyone else in his career, getting the better of the Manchester City coach 12 times and losing 11 games to him.
Despite Klopp's Liverpool team battling with Guardiola's City side for major honours frequently, there was known admiration between both men. The former recently paid tribute to the Premier League coaching icon after he reached 1000 matches as a manager, saying: "It was a pleasure and it was an honour to face you that often during our careers. Most difficult games, but anyhow, the games I enjoyed the most, because you were and you are an inspiration to all of us.
"The way you understand football is pretty much second to none. The desire you show every day is absolutely outstanding."
Sir Alex Ferguson and Bill Shankley Also Named by Klopp
Moving onto his final two picks, Klopp first felt obliged to name Sir Alex Ferguson in his top four. Having been asked to replace the 13-time Premier League champion at Manchester United after the Scot announced he was retiring in 2012/13, the then-Borussia Dortmund manager would go on to coach the Red Devils' famous rivals.
Although the pair never met in the dugout, there was still mutual respect between them, with Klopp hailing the legendary Scot as "a role model for every manager" back in 2015. However, his final pick was tricky, with him weighing up three separate coaches.
"And now I barely can decide," he said. "Carlo Ancelotti is in my mind, obviously. Bill Shakley, Bob Paisley, I heard so much about them, never saw them.
"But yes, I want to see Bill Shankly on the Mount Rushmore. That's it."
Having snubbed himself from the list, it was inevitable that Klopp would opt for another legendary former Liverpool manager — and who better than Shankly? Over the course of 15 years, the Scotland international lifted 10 trophies with the Reds, earning promotion from the Second Division, winning three First Division titles and laying the bedrock for their extensive success under Bob Paisley both domestically and in Europe.
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