Jurgen Klopp: I'm the normal one

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Klopp: I'm the normal one (October 9 2015)

Jurgen Klopp faced the media for the first time since becoming Liverpool manager and declared himself "the normal one".

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp agreed to succeed Brendan Rodgers as Reds boss on Thursday night and was formally unveiled at a press conference on Friday morning.

Klopp said he was joining "a special club, not a normal club" and raised a chuckle when asked for a soundbite similar to Jose Mourinho's famous 'special one' comment when he arrived at Chelsea in 2004.

"I don't want to describe myself," he said. "I'm a very normal guy from the Black Forest. I'm the normal one, if you like."

Klopp earlier told Liverpool's website: "I am very excited by the challenge we face and eager to start the job and begin implementing our ideas and ways of working with this team.

"This is a talented group of players and there is still much to compete for this season."

Klopp was always among the frontrunners to take the reins at Anfield following Brendan Rodgers' sacking last weekend, and the Reds revealed they had their man after a day of intense speculation.

The German signed his contract, understood to be a three-year deal, in a city centre hotel after flying into Liverpool John Lennon airport on Thursday evening.

A short statement on their official website read: "Liverpool Football Club are delighted to announce Jurgen Klopp has been appointed as the club's new manager.

"The German coach has signed a deal to take the helm at the Reds and will be presented at a press conference at Anfield on Friday morning."

Klopp's arrival represents something of a coup for owners Fenway Sports Group, who moved swiftly and decisively to appoint the 48-year-old after sacking Rodgers following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Everton.

Klopp is regarded as one of the top coaches in Europe, and the fact he has taken on the challenge at Liverpool - who apart from one thrilling title near-miss in 2014 have slid well down the Barclays Premier League pecking order - is already being viewed by fans as a significant turning point in their fortunes.


Klopp's appointment immediately injects a feelgood factor into a club in need of it after they were humbled 3-0 at home by West Ham and only just scraped past Sky Bet League 2 Carlisle on penalties in the Capital One Cup.

But the German will also be expected to bring success back to Anfield, and with the club just three points off the top four and only six behind leaders Manchester City there is great optimism he will be able to have a considerable impact this season.

Klopp will bring with him Bosnian Zeljko Buvac, his assistant both at Dortmund and Mainz before that, and coach Peter Krawietz.

In preparation for that the club began a clear-out of many of predecessor Rodgers' backroom staff earlier in the day, with assistant manager Sean O'Driscoll and first team coach Gary McAllister - who were only brought in over the summer in an overhaul of coaching personnel - removed from their posts.

Head of performance Glen Driscoll and head of opposition analysis Chris Davies, who followed Rodgers to Anfield from Swansea in 2012, have also lost their jobs.

However, former Reds midfielder McAllister has accepted an ambassadorial role and the former Scotland international's classy act in taking training on Thursday - even though he knew it was his last - reflects well on him and what influence he can have behind the scenes.

McAllister took the session with one member of staff - Pep Lijnders, promoted in the summer from the club's academy as a player development coach - who has kept his job.

It appears the position of head of fitness and conditioning Ryland Morgans, another Rodgers recruit from Swansea, is also safe for now.