Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reveals he never considered himself world-class, focusing instead on the journey and helping other coaches in his new Red Bull role.
LEIPZIG: Jurgen Klopp has said he never considered himself a world-class coach despite his trophy-laden career with Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
The German told AFP he always had too many unanswered questions about the game to feel he belonged among the elite.
“I never considered myself a world-class coach because I still had so many questions when I finished,” Klopp said.
He is now using that experience to support other managers in his role as Red Bull’s global head of football.
Klopp oversees a multi-club structure including RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls and Paris FC.
“My role with the coaches is to be the guy I never had,” he explained, recalling feeling isolated in his own managerial career.
He emphasised the difficulty of making final decisions alone, despite receiving plenty of advice.
The 58-year-old acknowledged the strangeness of his new position, which included overseeing the dismissal of Leipzig coach and friend Marco Rose in 2025.
“Grave-digger of the coaches — that’s a title I never wanted to win!” Klopp remarked.
Reflecting on his managerial philosophy, he said he focused on performance over results.
“I never watch the goals back, because I want to understand the game to the left and the right of the result,” Klopp stated.
He believed media and fans were too fixated on outcomes rather than the processes that led to them.
Klopp also revealed he took little personal pride in trophy ceremonies and victory parades.
“For me, it was the journey that I loved,” he said, valuing the collective effort over individual accolades.
RB Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schaefer highlighted Klopp’s unique impact in his new executive role.
“He has something that is unique. He has a god-given talent which everyone knows from his coaching jobs,” Schaefer told AFP.
He said Klopp’s presence was invaluable in player recruitment, convincing families and players of the club’s project.
Despite constant speculation linking him to top coaching jobs, Klopp suggested a return to management was unlikely.
“I don’t expect to change my mind, but I don’t know,” he said, indicating he has proven his ability and feels no need to continue.
He joked about his wife wanting a large trophy room in their new house, but he insisted a small one was sufficient.
