Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp’s philosophy on business, leadership and football – in his own words
Charismatic former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp is nearing a deal with Liverpool to replace Brendan Rodgers as the club's new boss, giving Reds fans the prospect of high-voltage football and lively press conferences to look forward to.
Read more: Opinion – Jurgen Klopp can restore Liverpool to the top four
When Klopp took over at Dortmund in 2008 the German club were £70m in debt. In the six seasons that followed he delivered two Bundesliga titles and took Dortmund to a Champions League final as the club's profits rose past £30m.
Such was his impact that when he announced he was leaving at the end of last season, the club's share price slumped more than five per cent. Yet the impression he left was made as much through his innovative, high-octane playing philosophy, casual leadership style and highly quotable interviews, as it was through additions to the trophy cabinet.
Here's Klopp in his own words on his unique approach to football:
"I am not Gandhi" – On the business of football
The important thing is new ideas, not money. It is important to make the next step. You always want to be the team that can beat the one with more money.
Money isn't the most important thing. It is important, of course. I am not Mahatma Gandhi.
At the moment, they are like the Chinese in the business world. They look at what others are doing and copy it, just with more money.
We [Borussia Dortmund] have a bow and arrow and if we aim well, we can hit the target. The problem is that Bayern have a bazooka. The probability that they will hit the target is clearly higher. But then Robin Hood was apparently quite successful.
Klopp is an animated presence on the touchline (Source: Getty)
"Crash, bang, wallop" – On his playing philosophy
I like the total intensification, when there are crashes and bangs everywhere, a sense of 'all or nothing', pure adrenaline and no one being able to breathe.
It is not serenity football, it is fighting football – that is what I like. What we call in German – English [football]…rainy day, heavy pitch, everybody is dirty in the face and they go home and can't play football for the next four weeks.
You have to go full throttle. We have called it full-throttle football. We wanted to ooze vitality. We would rather hit the bar five times than not shoot on goal four times….the matches should have an effect that goes further than the result.
"I am no magician" – On recruiting and developing talent
My colleagues and I are no magicians. We cannot make good players out of bad players. Or very good or excellent. We can't do that. The first point is to get the right players, try to recognise the potential, try to develop it and turn it into skills with the help of everyone involved. That's the most important thing. That's how you can find success somehow.
"Call me 'Kloppo'" – On his approachable leadership style
If I were working as a bank manager I might have had a credibility problem looking like I do but I don't work as a bank manager, I work in football…I am nice to people and I like footballers. Why shouldn't I? We share the same hobby. But that doesn't mean that I am their best friend.