Incredibly, Jurgen Klopp has already been a manager for 17 years.
The charismatic German began his managerial career at 33-years-old and having managed Borussia Dortmund for seven years and Liverpool since 2015 is stands to reason he’s coached some seriously impressive players — no offence to Mainz.
But who did he tell Soccer Laduma was the best player he has managed so far in his career?
Philippe Coutinho? Marco Reus? Robert Lewandowski? Nope, this guy…
Klopp said: “Best player I’ve ever coached? Mario Gotze. He was unbelievable.”
Gotze was part of Klopp’s two title-winning Dortmund sides in 2010/11 and 2011/12.
The German playmaker has been labelled as the ‘Golden Boy’ of German football — a reputation that was only enhanced in 2014 when he scored the winner in the World Cup final.
Injury problems have caused his career to stutter but few have doubted his natural talent and Klopp’s endorsement over some other gifted candidates proves how highly Gotze is regarded among his peers.
Klopp also named Lewandowski as the player who improved the most under his tutelage.
The Polish forward scored nine goals in 43 games in his first season under Klopp before banging in 94 in his next 144 fixtures.
Lewandowski has been one of the world’s best centre-forwards since his breakout year under Klopp having scored 25+ goals in each of his last six seasons.
Sorry, Philippe, you’ve missed the cut this time.
