Monday, October 12, 2015

Jurgen Klopp: ‘I am the NORMAL one’! New Liverpool manager insists he’s nothing special!

<ul class="mol-bullets-with-font">
<li id="ext-gen160" class=""><strong>Jurgen Klopp says <a class="" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/liverpool.html" target="_blank">Liverpool</a> will win at least one title in next four years</strong><strong> </strong></li>
<li class=""><strong>Klopp played down thoughts that club's transfer committee will be an issue</strong></li>
<li class=""><strong>German says the time since Liverpool's last title has weighed down on club</strong></li>
<li class=""><b>Klopp first sampled Anfield atmosphere during a friendly in August 2014</b></li>
<li class=""><b>Manager admitted he felt he would one day return as Liverpool manager</b></li>
<li class=""><b><a class="" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3266168/Jurgen-Klopp-s-Liverpool-FC-press-conference-don-t-want-Cristiano-Ronaldo-Lionel-Messi-plus-memorable-quotes.html" target="_blank">Jurgen Klopp: 'I don't want to have Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi'</a></b></li>
<li class=""><b><a class="" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3265936/Jurgen-Klopp-unveiled-Liverpool-FC-LIVE-latest-German-boss-arrives-Anfield.html" target="_blank">Klopp's Liverpool unveiling: CLICK HERE for all the latest from Anfield</a> </b></li>
</ul>
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Jurgen Klopp made himself an instant hit at his first press conference as Liverpool manager as he described himself as 'the normal one'.
No managerial appointment has captured public interest in the Barclays Premier League quite like this since Jose Mourinho first arrived at Chelsea in 2004 and called himself 'The Special One'.
Klopp, who insisted he will have 'the first and last word' on transfers, was asked in a huge media conference whether he was also a 'special one' but his response ensured he would make headlines in the same way as Mourinho.

I'm am not going to call myself anything,' said Klopp. 'I am a normal guy from the Black Forest. My mother is watching this press conference at home. If you are going to call me anything, call me the normal one.'
'I was a very average player and became a trainer in Germany with a special club. I had a great job to manage Dortmund for seven years and it was the best for us to leave. I hope to enjoy my work. Everyone has told me about the British press. It’s up to you to tell me they are all liars!'

Klopp, who has signed a three-year contract worth £21million, described the decision to appoint him as 'the biggest honour' in his career despite admitting that the club is currently not in its best shape.
'It’s the biggest honour to be at one of the biggest clubs in this world and the opportunity to try and help the situation. It’s not the perfect moment but it’s a good moment to come. I feel really proud. I'm looking forward to the intensity of football and how the people live football in Liverpool. It’s a special club. I had two special clubs and this role is the perfect next step for me to try to help.



'This is one of the biggest problems in Liverpool. The Premier League is one of the most difficult in the world. There's five, six or seven clubs that can be the champions. Only one can win and all the others are disappointed and live in the middle of disaster.'
Klopp reiterated his stance on the much-documented transfer committee not being an issue at the club, claiming that he will have the overarching say on who enters and who departs Anfield.
'It’s a crazy discussion. It was not a problem for 10 seconds,' Klopp added. 'It’s enough that I have the first and the last word - in the middle we can discuss. We want to discuss good players on the highest level. I’m not a genius. I need other people to get the perfect information. When we have this we will decide to sign or sell a player.'




Klopp admitted when he visited Anfield for the first time in a friendly with Dortmund in August 2014 that he felt one day he would return as manager of the club, and the 48-year-old admits he is fortunate to be able to realise his ambitions.
'I’m not a dreamer but I’m a romantic. I love the stories and Anfield is one of the best places in the football world. It was my first time and I thought about how it would be.
'Now I’m here. I’m a lucky guy and really looking forward to the first match. I am prepared. I had four months holiday and am in the best shape.


Twenty five years is a long time [without winning the league]. All the people have tried to get better and take the title. History is the base for us. It’s not allowed to take the history in the backpack. You have to come in our race. I want to see the first step next week but not always compare with other times.'
Klopp admitted waking up on Friday morning as Liverpool manager felt surreal, but he is now focused on getting down to business on the training field ahead of his first game in charge against Tottenham at White Hart Lane a week on Saturday.
'When I left Dortmund I said "it’s not important what people say when you come in; it’s what they think when you leave". Now I say: Please give us time to work, please be patient. Today could be a very special day.


'If we want this could be a special day. We can start in a very difficult league and in a special Liverpool way we can be successful. If we sit here in four years I think we win a title, I’m pretty sure. If not, maybe Switzerland!'
Klopp, who said he believes in the potential of the current Liverpool squad, ended his landmark first press conference by refusing to draw comparisons between himself and the many illustrious names he follows into the Anfield hotseat.
'I don’t compare myself with these geniuses within the history of Liverpool. It’s cool that you are looking forward to the work for the next few months and years.
'None of these managers said they wanted to be a legend when they arrived. This is a great club because of many good decisions in the past.'


Ian Ayre was sat beside Klopp at the conference, and the chief executive said he built an instant rapport with the German in their first encounter.
‘When we started the search it was important we brought someone in who we thought could bring success to the club, and match the size and ambition of the club. We felt a connection when we met him. It was good to feel from Jurgen that he really understood the size of the club and that makes for a great relationship.'
Chairman Tom Werner was also at the press conference in a statement of intent from the Liverpool owners, and he is quoted on the club website as saying: 'In Jurgen Klopp we have appointed a world-class manager with a proven track record. When an opportunity presents itself to acquire one of the most sought-after leaders in the game, it is something you have to pursue decisively and we are delighted he has accepted our invitation.'


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