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JURGEN KLOPP struggled to understand Sir Alex Ferguson when they first met – but his managerial record came across loud and clear.
And he is happy to know Manchester United icon Ferguson is also impressed by his work.
The Liverpool boss realises their relationship would have been very different if he was in charge at Anfield when Ferguson was Old Trafford chief. But he admitted he admired Ferguson from afar when he was starting out his managerial career at Mainz and the Scot was conquering all in the United hot seat.
His admiration for him continues to this day, even if as Liverpool boss it might not be usual to send pleasantries down the M62.
Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and two Champions League crowns at Old Trafford. He also ended 26 years without a league title at United, while Klopp is now looking to end 29 years without one at Liverpool.
“He is one of the biggest if not the biggest in world football,” said Klopp, whose side will take on United in front of Ferguson at Old Trafford tomorrow. “You can say that with all the things he achieved.
“Where he started, where he came from and what he did with the club. All that stuff. It’s just incredible. As a young manager – a couple of years ago I was a young manager – it’s not allowed to compare yourself or think about what he is doing and then compare to what you’re doing.
“It was a completely different world. It’s a different job. I always admired him.
“From a distance, it’s easy. I’m not sure how it would have been if I was here 20 years at Liverpool and you have this battle all the time.
“Then maybe it’s different because he was a very competitive guy, saying some things before he played against Liverpool.
“I’m pretty sure when he was in charge he didn’t want us (Liverpool) to be successful.
Chance
“Maybe he doesn’t want that now but the opinion is probably not that strong anymore because he said already a couple of times, I heard, that he likes what we are doing here.”
Klopp got the chance to sit down with Ferguson for breakfast at a managers’ conference when he was in charge of Borussia Dortmund.
Ferguson remains an important figure at Old Trafford and his presence has been felt more since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as boss.
“He is a fantastic person,” said Klopp. “I met him a couple of times.
“I remember the first time sitting together. We met at Nyon, where the managers’ meeting was for the Champions League coaches, and nobody was there.
“I asked if someone was here and they said, ‘Yes, Sir Alex Ferguson is in the breakfast room’. I came in and he was like, ‘Oh, Jurgen, come here’.
“I came in and for the first half an hour I had no clue what we were talking about, because of the Scottish thing.
“I tried to be really, really friendly and step by step I got it. It’s still the same with Kenny (Dalglish).
“He is a really nice person. I respect him a lot. Obviously he thinks I’m not completely blind as a manager so that’s good.”
The two never went toe-to-toe as bosses but Klopp’s side will look to go back to the top of the Premier League table tomorrow when they visit United.
It is a chance to open up a three-point gap on Manchester City and take a step closer to winning a 19th title to move just one behind arch-rivals United.
But Klopp insists this game will not decide their championship fate.
He added: “If we would see it like a lot of people see it, that it is the game, that is too much pressure on everybody. You cannot do it like that.
“If we lose the game and I don’t think about losing the game, then we are still level on points with Man City and Tottenham are probably only two points behind us.
“That’s how it is. That is the worst thing that can happen.
“Everybody knows in football that Manchester United against Liverpool is one of the biggest games in world football.
“We have to prepare for that and still play a game.”