After a draw against Everton in 2015, the ex-Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers was sacked soon after the game. When the news broke in Thierry Henry turns and clasped the leg of Jamie Carragher in the Sky Sports studio. The video was viral all over the footballing world. And Jurgen Klopp was appointed as Roger’s successor in Liverpool camp a couple of days later.
After spending 115 million in the summer window, the owners FSG decided to part way with Rogers.
Rogers actually did quite a decent job during his time in Liverpool. He led the club for a serious title challenge in 2013/14. However, the infamous Gerrard slip led to the stumbling of the Premier League trophy.
While there was a clash of ideas between Rogers and the club’s transfer committee. The troubled relationship between coaching and recruitment departments and the squad’s poor performance ultimately led Rogers to leave the club.
Jurgen Klopp era in Liverpool
On 8th October 2015, Liverpool appoints Jurgen Klopp as the new manager of Liverpool Football Club on a three-year deal. His debut game saw a 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspurs in White Hart Lane.
Meanwhile, this weekend marks Klopp’s sixth anniversary of his first game in charge of Liverpool. Since his appointment six years ago, the club went through a lot of change during this whole time period.
Klopp led the club to two consecutive UEFA Champions League finals, winning on one occasion. He led the club to the first Premier League title in thirty years and also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
But all these successes came up with proper planning and proper recruitments of players, coaches, and backroom staff.
Jurgen Klopp and people behind the scenes
Gradually after Klopp’s appointment, people noticed that there is a lack of ego. And most importantly, a sense of trust-building was observed between the people working underneath Michael Edwards and Klopp’s coaching staff.
The relationship between Jurgen Klopp and Sporting Director Michael Edwards is one of the key components in the recent success of the club. The recruiting policies have been brilliant by Edwards.
Klopp’s assistance are Pep Lijnders and John Achterberg, whereas Pep Lijnders sits alongside Klopp. Klopp affectionately describes Achterberg as a “goalkeeping maniac”. Achterberg has developed players and was instrumental in signing Allison Becker in 2018.
The appointment of throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark caught the eyes of many. But it showed how competitive Klopp is, as he looks to gain any edge he could against his opponents.
Back in 2018, the club wanted the players to learn to cope-up with the stress levels of a long and vigorous season. So during the pre-season tour in Evian, the club utilized the skills of the world-famous high-wave surfer, Sebastian Steudtner.
In the French training camp, Sebastian instructs players to submerge in the pool. The instruction was to relax and focus, and stay as long as possible and not panic. The likes of Mohamed Salah and Dejan Lovren posted remarkable improvements under Steudtner’s guidance.
Mona Nemmer is another name who has contributed to the success of the club in recent times. She is head of Nutrition and looks after how players are nourished, over the last five years.
The club’s Director of Research Ian Graham has worked for Liverpool since 2012 and his job behind the scenes has been remarkable. Graham and his department primarily focus on recruitment. It is Graham’s team that provides stats resources to Analysts which they use for their reports and meetings.
It is clear for sure that Liverpool’s success is not built only on Klopp alone. And he will agree that too as he keeps mentioning this in the pre-match press conferences. As each and every person behind the scenes knows their role and does it with utmost passion.
And not to forget the Liverpool fans who support the team no matter what happens.
You’ll Never Walk Alone!
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