Jurgen Klopp admits he never viewed himself as a top-tier manager

Even after departing Liverpool in 2024 as one of the premier managers in global soccer, Jurgen Klopp revealed he never regarded himself as among the elite figures in the profession. 

"I never considered myself a world-class coach," Klopp shared with AFP and various outlets during a discussion in Leipzig, "because I still had so many questions when I finished."

"I was like 'how can I be world-class with these questions still?'"

Beginning his career at Mainz, where he guided the team to the Bundesliga for the first time ever, Klopp then joined Borussia Dortmund, securing two league championships and advancing to the 2013 Champions League final. 

Upon arriving at Liverpool in 2015, Klopp led the Reds to claim every major honour available, such as the Champions League and Premier League titles. 

Now serving as Red Bull's worldwide football director, managing a network of clubs like RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls, and Paris FC, Klopp expressed his desire to support managers in resolving their uncertainties. 

"My role with the coaches is to be the guy I never had. I sat in my office very, very, very often, very, very, very alone. 

"A lot of people gave me advice and have great ideas... It's great to have ideas, but it's really not that easy to make the final decision.

"I want to be in moments when I know they are alone, or feel alone. I want to be there." 

Klopp was involved in the dismissal of RB Leipzig's then-manager Marco Rose, a close associate, in 2025, and noted that experiencing it from this perspective felt strange. 

"Grave-digger of the coaches -- that's a title I never wanted to win!"

I never watch the goals back

From elevating Mainz into the Bundesliga to ending Liverpool's long wait for a Premier League crown, Klopp consistently enhanced teams and individuals across his tenure. 

Frequently inheriting squads in difficult periods, the manager aimed to reframe their mindset. 

"How did I start a game? I would say 'the worst news is you can lose it' -- so let's try and win it... Do not try to avoid defeat -- try to win."

The manager explained he encouraged his squad: "Giving your all doesn't mean you will get anything, but it's your only chance to get something. That's pretty much how you do it. 

"We gave everything -- and sometimes we got something."

Klopp pointed out that journalists and supporters fixated excessively on outcomes.

"I never watch the goals back, because I want to understand the game to the left and the right of the result. 

"I want to understand why it happened... Results are the result of the performance. So we worked on the performance and the results came later."

The 58-year-old indicated he "didn't take any pride" from award presentations and victory processions. 

"I love being a part of it, not in the middle of it. You might see pictures where someone gave me a trophy and I'd take it, but I didn't need to touch it.

"For me, it was the journey that I loved. That gave me much more than the moment (of winning)."

You know if Jurgen Klopp is in the room

Klopp maintains a legendary following at his previous teams, with supporters cherishing the German for his touchline energy and approachable nature as much as his achievements. 

RB Leipzig's sporting director Marcel Schaefer informed AFP that Klopp carries the same charisma into his current position, despite no longer pacing the bench. 

"He has something that is unique. He has a god-given talent which everyone knows from his coaching jobs. 

"He can catch people in five to 10 minutes."

Schaefer mentioned Klopp contributes significantly to signing players by "talking to families, talking to players about our vision, about our project. 

"You know if Jurgen Klopp is in the room."

Following his exit from Anfield, Klopp has been connected to numerous prominent managerial positions, yet he believes resuming that role is improbable.

"I don't expect to change my mind, but I don't know. 

"We're building a house right now and my missus wanted to have a really big trophy room. There was another small room and I said 'this is enough, because we know how many trophies we have, we will not add any'.

"It might sound arrogant, but I know I can coach a football team. But I don't need to do it until my last day."