‘GREAT’ STURR EXITS ANFIELD
Klinsmann: My old pal will already be planning his next move
AFTER he’s recovered from Liverpool’s Champions League trophy homecoming, Jurgen Klopp will immediately be plotting to win it again.
And that is the genius of the man, according to his friend and former managerial rival Jurgen Klinsmann, who believes the Reds boss is the greatest coach in world football.
Klinsmann may have been disappointed to see Klopp defeat his former club Tottenham in the Champions League final in Madrid last weekend, but he admits he can’t begrudge his one-time adversary his success.
The pair come from villages close to each other in Baden-Wurttemberg in the south west of Germany, and Klinsmann said that the work ethic of the region is evident in Klopp’s dedication.
“He’s a workaholic because that’s in our blood,” the former Germany boss said. “He’s a sponge that wants to learn and always wants to look at what is next. And it never gets saturated.
“After winning the Champions League final, his first thought a day later would have been ‘how do I win this next year?’ So he will never be satisfied.
“He will be working on it now, how he can move the pieces to make it even better.” When Klinsmann was JURGEN KLOPP paid tribute to “one of the best finishers I’ve seen” and a “world-class” defender as he bade farewell to Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno.
The pair will leave Liverpool on June 30 when their contracts run out. Sturridge arrived from Chelsea in January 2013 and Moreno from Sevilla in August 2014.
Boss Klopp said: “The most manager at Bayern Munich he came up against Klopp soon after he moved to Dortmund, and their mutual respect stems from that rivalry.
Speaking in a Channel 4 documentary which examines the two coaches from the final last Saturday, the Germany hero said Klopp has the full armoury as a manager – a tactical sophistication and a compelling personality which inspires players and fans.
“You want to wish him well – he puts so much energy in there, so much effort and hard work,” he added.
“The way he won over the people in Liverpool and the way he became one of them, it deserves the end result. Klopp fits Liverpool so perfectly because his background is very humble and hardworking.
“He’s just himself. I think that’s why people really like him, because he doesn’t sell anything. He’s so straightforward.
“He’s honest, charismatic, energetic and funny.
“That’s what you want from leaders. Who wants boring leaders?” important words to say to these two remarkable players is ‘thank you’ and we can say farewell with the best words possible... ‘Guys, you leave as European champions’.
“What may be missed outside the club is what a great leader Daniel is in our dressing room – he has earned the right to be considered a modern-day Liverpool great, while Alberto is world-class and I know he will be back in the Spain team.” Klinsmann and Klopp were rival managers in the German Bundesliga
JAGS BYE TO GOODISON
PHIL JAGIELKA has finally confirmed that he is leaving Everton.
The 36-year-old Blues captain will draw down the curtain on a 12-year career after 385 appearances.
Jagielka had hoped to stay for another season, but, despite talks with boss Marco Silva, a fresh offer never materialised, and the ■ defender was told he would be released. He wrote on Instagram, “Unfortunately, my journey at Everton has come to an end after 12 fantastic seasons.” Chairman Bill Kenwright gave an emotional tribute, saying: “Jags is simply one of our greatest-ever servants.” Jagielka was linked with a return to former club Sheffield United, but will now consider his future.