An Anfield Of Dreams – Auf Wiedersehen Jürgen Klopp | OneFootball

Klopp’s Liverpool Legacy

Klopp’s Philosophy

It was in his official unveiling as Liverpool manager that Jürgen Klopp famously said: “It’s not so important what people think when you come in, it’s much more important what people think when you leave”. Those words have almost become a cliche, but they are so true. They also bear testament to his time at Borussia Dortmund. Nine years on from those emotional scenes of his final day at the Westfalenstadion, Dortmund fans still adore him. His goodbye there had tears, toasts, applause and a guard of honour.

Dortmund: The Transformation Begins

The fact that Dortmund had flirted with relegation for the first half of that season was insignificant. The fans had love, loyalty and appreciation for all he’d done for them and their club in his time there. Klopp had a transformational effect on Dortmund and made a deep and long-lasting connection with the fans. The Dortmund reflections are pertinent because of the parallels. His presence and personality had an immediate impact. His human qualities and authenticity created a strong bond with both his players and fans. He transformed the fortunes of Dortmund and helped them compete, against the odds, with an opponent of greater financial might. True to his word, how people felt about him leaving was more telling than how they felt when he arrived.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool: A Resurgence in Identity and Spirit

All of those things at Dortmund are much the same at Liverpool. A club stumbling around in the dark, looking for the light switch. Jürgen didn’t so much flick a switch, as turn on the floodlights. His passion and enthusiasm was translated on the pitch, bringing an energy and attacking verve back that restored the team’s identity. He connected with the fans, he could relate to them and they with him. He was real, he was one of us. His players were ready to go into battle for him and so were all of us. He said he wanted to turn us from doubters to believers and he did just that, and added dreams too. It may not have all clicked into place immediately, but you felt like this was a team and a club heading in the right direction.

Cultural Bridges and Public Relations

I was there at that West Brom game when Klopp took the team over to applaud the fans after the game, despite it being a draw. Rival fans and pundits mocked it because they didn’t understand it. Having lived in Germany for many years and been a keen follower of Bundesliga football, I was used to seeing teams going to applaud their fans after games, regardless of the result. It’s just a part of the football culture in Germany. I remember being mocked for suggesting that Liverpool should be looking to appoint Jürgen when Brendan Rodgers was still in charge. Whilst some insisted that he’d be off to Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or even Man Utd, I insisted that this mad German fella was different. That there’s a certain romance to our club that would attract him and thankfully, so it proved to be.

Photo: IMAGO

Triumphs and Legacy

New memories were created, those kind of special moments that you look back on in years to come with fondness and relive with excitement. In restoring that connection between the team and the fans, Jürgen made us all feel a part of it. After progressing from doubters to believers, he also turned dreams into reality. With a team of heroes and legends in the making, he added number six. The special significance of this European Cup win for me was it being the first one I got to enjoy with my children. The next morning we drove across the country to take part in the parade. This was not just another memory for me, this was something I could share with my sons, it was incredible. To go on and add a league title was all our dreams come true. My lads were experiencing something that I’d enjoyed as a kid: Liverpool being the best team in the land.

Personal Reflections and Farewell

Now, a few years on, we’ve had some ups and downs as a team. I’m back living in Germany, so can’t be there in person to give thanks and say goodbye to Jürgen. What I can do is have a few Weissbier in my special edition Jürgen glass and take in the German perspective. Nine years on from his Dortmund departure, he’s still a prominent figure here in Germany; such is the impact he made on German football. It’s safe to say he’s had a similar impact in Liverpool and deserves his flowers, a statue and whatever pomp and ceremony the club put on this weekend. I’ll certainly be raising my glass to him a few times. Coming back to Jürgen’s words, the love heading his way this weekend will demonstrate just what people think as he leaves.