Jurgen Klopp, born in Stuttgart in 1967, initially had dreams of becoming a doctor before he found his true calling in football. After receiving his A-level results, he realized that medicine wasn’t the path for him. A teacher’s remark, “I hope it works out with football, otherwise it’s not looking too good for you,” pushed Klopp to focus on the sport he loved.
Klopp started his football journey playing amateur football while working at a local video rental store. His big break came in 1990 when he was signed by Mainz, where he would spend 11 years as a player. After retiring from playing in 2001, Klopp quickly transitioned to coaching. He took over as Mainz’s manager and led them to establish a strong presence in the Bundesliga, turning them from underdogs into serious contenders.
His success at Mainz didn’t go unnoticed. In 2008, Klopp was appointed manager of Borussia Dortmund. Under his leadership, the team won two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup, and two German Super Cups. Klopp also guided Dortmund to a Champions League final, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s top managers.
In 2015, Klopp was appointed manager of Liverpool after Brendan Rodgers was dismissed. His tenure at Anfield has been nothing short of spectacular. Klopp helped Liverpool win the Premier League, Champions League, and several other prestigious trophies, making him a legendary figure in the club’s history.
Despite his German roots, Klopp’s pick for the greatest footballer of all time might surprise some. In a 2018 interview with Liverpool TV, Klopp named Brazilian legend Pele as his all-time footballing hero. While Klopp grew up admiring German defender Karlheinz Forster, it was Pele who ultimately captured his admiration.
Klopp explained that his father had always told him that Pele was the greatest, regardless of what future generations might say. Klopp recalled a memorable moment when he met Pele during his time as a commentator for the 2006 World Cup, describing it as a nerve-wracking experience. “I’m not the kind of person who gets nervous, but in that moment, I was sweating like crazy,” Klopp said. For him, Pele will always be the greatest footballer in history.
Pele’s career speaks for itself. He holds numerous records, including being the youngest World Cup winner and Brazil’s all-time top scorer. Most of his playing career was spent in Brazil, though he also had two years playing in the United States. Despite the difficulty in verifying all of his goal statistics, Pele’s skill and influence on the game remain undeniable. Klopp’s admiration for the Brazilian icon is a testament to Pele’s enduring legacy as the greatest footballer of all time.
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