Dietmar Hamann has revealed he has not spoken to Jurgen Klopp about the Liverpool manager’s job, quashing speculation of an imminent coaching role.
Despite reports to the contrary, Hamann has said he had “not spoken” to Klopp ahead of his appointment as Liverpool manager, suggesting that a coaching role at the club may be unlikely.
It was believed that Klopp would appoint a coach with an affinity with the Reds on his arrival on Merseyside.
Hamann, along with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, was believed to be a front-runner for this position.
But the German has revealed that he did not play any part in Klopp deciding to join the Reds.
“I’ve not spoken with him before he came here because Liverpool Football Club doesn’t need selling to anyone, and everyone around the world knows what a history and what a tradition it carries,” he told the club’s official website.
“I’ve not spoke to him in the last few or weeks or months.
“I’ve bumped into him a few times, I wouldn’t say I know him well, and I think he made the right choice.
“If he did ask me I couldn’t have said anymore because Liverpool is a fantastic club.
“I think he will grasp the history and the culture of the club and that’s why I’m glad he is here.”
Though Hamann does not know Klopp well personally, he believes the former Borussia Dortmund manager has the pedigree to lead Liverpool to success.
“He’s the right man for the job,” he continued.
“We’ve just seen in the press conference he was very impressive.
“He’s a genuine, honest guy who will tell the players and the fans how it is, and I think for a club like Liverpool that’s been missing for a number of years.
“When he went to Dortmund he joined a team on the verge of going bankrupt and being relegated and he turned them into title winners, cup finalists into cup winners, and Champions League finalists.
“I don’t think his task [at Liverpool] is quite as big as it was in Dortmund but I think he’s a guy who will fit in very well because I think the fanbases in the cities of Dortmund and Liverpool are pretty similar.”
Klopp will bring former Dortmund assistants Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz with him to Liverpool.
Goalkeeping coach John Achterberg and first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders will also remain in their roles, while former first-team coach Gary McAllister has been repositioned into an ambassadorial role.
Though Klopp could make further appointments in the near future, Reds CEO Ian Ayre has revealed that the decision to employ a local presence would be entirely up the the German.
Fan Comments