Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann has claimed that Jurgen Klopp is the “Ideal” man to take charge at Anfield.
The Reds are progressing in talks with the German and the former Borussia Dortmund boss could be in position by the end of the week as Brendan Rodgers’ replacement.
“He is the ideal candidate for the job. He is the one I would pick,” Hamann told talkSport.
“The Expectations and the mood couldn’t be any further down than it is at the moment at Anfield so it is a great time to join Liverpool.”
“I don’t Think with his appointment Liverpool will become title contenders overnight, but you need to have a lift from somewhere and I think he can do this.”
“Liverpool is a working-class club, a working-class town, and you need somebody that the fans take to. It is very important at a club like Liverpool that the fans take to the manager.”
“For a lot of fans, Klopp would be the first choice and it looks like he is coming, and I think he can create that spark, that emotion, and give people hope again, which I think has been lost in the last 12 months. He has got a lot of love and passion for the game and this is why I think he fits the bill perfectly and why I think he will be a success.”
“He has got a lot of love and passion for the game and this is why I think he fits the bill perfectly and why I think he will be a success.”
Klopp worked under chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke at Dortmund and he is another who has backed him to be a success at Anfield.
“He is a very good coach because he has a good mentality for it,’ Watzke told Sky Sports. ‘He has a good style of playing football and I don’t know if he will go to Liverpool or to another club, but the club who gets him gets a very good manager.”
“He can do every job, he can make every club (better) and Liverpool is very similar to Borussia Dortmund, it has the same structure and the same fans. It is a marvellous club.”
“Every player he has in his hands, he makes them better, you can be sure.”
“It is wonderful to work with him because he has a big understanding of the problems of the club.”
Liverpool’s American owners FSG acted quickly after sacking Brenden Rodgers on Sunday, three hours after the Reds 1-1 draw against Everton at Goodison Park.
And the German, an all-time Liverpool legend after lifting the Champions League, believes his countrymen will be a breath of fresh air for the Kop faithful who demand passion and honesty from their manager.
He said: “I know managers always say they know all about the history and tradition of clubs when they arrive, but no one can really be expected to know that when they first come in.
“It took me maybe six, 12 months to realise exactly what Liverpool was all about. When I went to my first Hillsborough memorial service, I started to think a bit deeper about what this club truly means, and what it represents.
“If he gives himself 12 months in taking it all in and understanding fully what the club and the fans are all about, then I really do believe he can be an immortal at Liverpool. Jurgen is a top class manager, and he has the passion to connect to the people.”
The Jurgen Klopp effect is already kicking in. The toothy, floppy-haired German has not even agreed to move to
Liverpool yet but already there is a buzz of anticipation around a club that is daring to dream again. This is what he does, enthusing and energising clubs from the bottom up, a defibrillator in human form carved out of enamel and hair follicles.
Right now, Liverpool doesn’t have to worry too much about if or how it could unravel over time. Klopp’s methods may fade, but right now the Reds are crying out for someone to galvanize and invigorate them, and he’ll do exactly that – and with third and fourth spot so attainable this year, his ability to light the fuse and send a bolt of lightning right to the soul of a club can kick-start their season.
Change may be as good for Brenden Klopp as it was for the side he left behind, and his powers of motivation and inspiration will have the Reds hitting their peak fast – but if he wants to hang around for a while, he’ll need to ensure he can go one better than Rodgers did.