Born in Stuttgart in 1967, Jurgen Klopp wasn't always destined for a career in football. Initially aspiring to become a doctor, it wasn't until he received his A-level results that he realised it wasn't for him. Having been told by one of his teachers, "I hope it works out with football, otherwise it's not looking too good for you," Klopp had to turn his attention back to football.
Firstly, playing amateur football whilst also working in a local video rental store, it wasn't until 1990 that he was signed by Mainz and started to make a name for himself in the game. Spending 11 years with the German club as a player, Klopp always felt suited to a managerial role, and that became evident after he hung up his boots in 2001. Becoming Mainz manager in 2001, he helped to establish the club in the Bundesliga, as he transformed them from underdogs to contenders.
His work with the German side didn't go unnoticed, and in 2008 he was appointed as Borussia Dortmund manager. Helping the side to two league titles, a German Cup and two German Super Cups, plus reaching a Champions League final, Klopp became one of the best managers in Europe. After Brendan Rodgers was sacked by Liverpool in 2015, the Reds elected to appoint the German manager, and his reign was a major success. Winning the Premier League, the Champions League as well as many more trophies, he wrote himself into Liverpool history.
Having grown up in Germany, it may be expected that his choice for the best player ever would be from his nation, however, that was not the case.
Klopp Named His Pick For Best Footballer in History
He chose one of the most legendary players ever
In an interview with Liverpool TV in 2018, via BolaVIP, the former Reds manager shared his opinion on the game's best ever player. While he grew up idolising Stuttgart defender Karlheinz Forster, he named the Brazilian legend Pele as the greatest footballer of all time.
The decision was simple for Klopp. Explaining that his father had instilled that opinion into him, he spoke about how Pele's influence on the game cannot be understated:
“My father always told me that no matter what people say in the future, Pele is the greatest (of all time). I met him when I was a commentator for the 2006 World Cup. I’m not the kind of person who gets nervous, but in that moment, I was sweating like crazy. The best in history? For me, it’s Pele.”
Holding a whole host of records, including the youngest World Cup winner, and being Brazil's all-time top scorer, Pele was a talent ahead of his time. Blessed with all the attributes of a great player, the Santos legend spent most of his career in Brazil, and two years in America. His ability was such that he could still be one of the best in the world today, and despite it being hard to verify all of his goal statistics, everyone who has ever seen him play says that he is the best of all-time. Considering all of this, it is no surprise that Klopp picks the great Brazilian as the best to ever do it.
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