Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson was magnanimous in congratulating Jurgen Klopp on his Premier League title, even if the German interrupted his sleep to tell him
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Jurgen Klopp waving
Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't bothered by his phone call from Jurgen Klopp, even if it took place at 3am
(Image: Getty Images)
Newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool will get their chance to lift the title in front of a home crowd on Sunday. However, the biggest moment of Arne Slot's career to date will be lacking somewhat compared to the time Jurgen Klopp got his hands on the crown.
The Reds host FA Cup champions Crystal Palace in their final fixture of the campaign, having already wrapped up top spot with time to spare. And the same was true for Klopp's squad of 2020, who finished 18 points clear of Manchester City to end a 30-year wait for league silverware.
And it's fair to say the German tactician understood the magnitude of his achievement after calling up Sir Alex Ferguson in the wee hours to inform him. As if the Manchester United icon wasn't already well aware of his old rivals' triumph, Ferguson confessed he received a reminder from Klopp, who was named LMA Manager of the Year for his efforts.
"The winner, Jurgen Klopp. Jurgen, fantastic," he told Sky Sports while presenting Klopp with the award now named after him. "I speak about Leeds United and 16 years in the Championship, Liverpool 30 years since winning that league is incredible.
"You really thoroughly deserved it. Your performance level of your team was fantastic. Your personality runs right through the whole club. I think it was a marvellous performance.
"I will forgive you for waking me up in the morning at half-past three to tell me you won the league! Thank you. You thoroughly deserved it, well done."
Sir Alex Ferguson watches the racing as he attends day 1 'Champion Day' of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse
Ferguson was a good sport over the early-morning interruption(Image: Max Mumby/Indigo, Getty Images)
No manager has won the LMA Manager of the Year award more than Ferguson, thus explaining why the trophy was named after him. Klopp, 57, went on to claim that crown once more in 2022 after winning an FA Cup and League Cup double.
The former Borussia Dortmund boss's brand of 'rock and roll' football revolutionised Liverpool after years of mediocrity. And it's that same infectious passion for the sport that saw him disturb one of the most respected figures to grace the game.
On the face of things, Ferguson and Klopp should be enemies. One embodies the best years in United's history and would represent a generation of animosity for many Liverpool fans, while the other played an instrumental role in bringing the glory years back to Anfield.d.
And yet Klopp reciprocated the appreciation he received from a fellow great on the other side of the derby divide. In response to Ferguson's testimony, he said: "I am absolutely delighted to get this wonderful trophy.
Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, celebrates the teams victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League title after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur
Arne Slot will get his chance to properly present the Premier League trophy at Anfield on Sunday
"And Sir Alex Ferguson - and I know it’s not 100 per cent appropriate as a Liverpool manager - but I admire him. He was the first British manager I met and we had breakfast together.
"It was long ago and I’m not sure if he remembers it still, but I remember it forever because it was for me in this moment like meeting the Pope, if you want!"
His respect for his elder clearly wasn't great enough that he wasn't willing to get him up in the middle of the night to tell him of his success. But it speaks to the characters of both men and the respect they hold for one another that they were happy to play a part in the tale.