Football

Former Liverpool chief explains club's decision process in hiring Jurgen Klopp


Former Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre has lifted the lid on the thought process which led to the appointment of Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss in 2015.

Klopp left Borussia Dortmund at the end of the 2014/15 season and replaced Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on October 8 after the Reds’ disappointing start to the campaign.

Klopp has since led Liverpool to Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup glory, and his side are this season’s Premier League champions in-waiting.

And now the former CEO and Managing Director at Anfield has detailed why Klopp was given the Reds hot seat.

Ayre said: “we wanted a coach who develops young players for the future”

“Like everything at Liverpool, then and now, we went through a very structured process,” he said.

“Obviously there was no question of Jurgen’s coaching ability, but we wanted a coach who develops young players for the future.”

Klopp quickly became a fan favourite at Anfield, dubbing himself ‘The Normal One’ in his first press conference to parody Jose Mourinho’s ‘Special One’ nickname.

Being able to connect with the fans was a key criteria for a potential Liverpool manager

The 52-year-old has since exhibited his passion on many occasions and brought the silverware to Merseywide to back up his heart-on-sleeve approach to management.

Ayre saw being able to resonate with the fans as a vital aspect of the Liverpool job, saying: “As well as making good players great, we wanted somebody who would connect with the fan base and somebody who we could all work with and be collaborative.

“You never know what you will get from analysis and interviews, but he ticked all the boxes – and some boxes that aren’t even on anyone’s list.

Ayre had a brief three-month stint as managing director of TSV 1860 Munich in 2017

“He’s a very special person and I could not imagine anyone better for the club.”

Ayre left Liverpool are the end of his contract in 2017 after ten years with the club and is now CEO of Major League Soccer club Nashville.





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