Veteran Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro has worked with a whole list of top-tier managers during his long career, but says he is missing Jurgen Klopp from his collection and hopes to work with him in the future.
Given he’s now into his 40s, the Werder Bremen front man isn’t expecting a call to replace Roberto Firmino and lead the line for Liverpool any time soon.
But as his playing career winds down, joining Klopp’s sessions from a coaching perspective also appeals.
“Unfortunately Jurgen Klopp is missing from the list, I have never been allowed to work with him,” Pizarro said to Weser-Kurier.
“That would have appealed to me very much. I hope that I can get to know Klopp in the future and that I can also see his training sessions.
“Without a doubt, I would have liked it very much to work with such a trainer. I find Klopp totally exciting from a player’s perspective.”
Meanwhile, from the coaches he has worked with, Pizzaro says Pep Guardiola is the best tactician around, saying the Spaniard has “a completely different vision of football than other coaches.”
While Jose Mourinho, who managed Pizarro for three months at Chelsea, is noted for his “support” given to his players, the striker says Manchester City’s current boss has the edge.
“I don’t think there is a better coach than Pep Guardiola in terms of tactics and all the dimensions he thinks about football. He’s the best I’ve had.”
Pizarro, now 41 years of age, has made 15 substitute outings in the Bundesliga this season. His last league goal came on the final day of 2018/19. He played under Guardiola for Bayern Munich and has netted almost 200 Bundesliga goals in total.
