Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney revealed his admiration for Jurgen Klopp, calling the Liverpool manager an “amazing guy” even if he is currently leading the success of Rooney’s biggest rivals.
Klopp took charge of Liverpool in 2015 after rising to prominence as head coach of Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga trophies and a DFB-Pokal while reaching the 2012-13 Champions League final, and losing eventually to Bayern.
He then guided Liverpool to the 2015-16 Europa League and 2017-18 Champions League finals, but settled for runners-up medals yet again in England.
The manager did finally get his Champions League medal, though, as Liverpool wear able to secure a 2-0 win over Tottenham in June with goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi in the final.
The Reds also finished second in a historic Premier League season, as Liverpool’s 97 points were not enough to win the league as Manchester City claimed the title with 98 points at the top.
Widely regarded as one of the best managers in the world, Klopp earned the praise of Rooney, even if his roots made it hard for him to confess his admiration.
“Jurgen is a manager every player would love playing for. You can see how much fun his players have playing under him. I met him once, he is an amazing guy,” Rooney told Sport Bild.
“His only mistake is that he works for LFC and is successful there.
“I have much respect for Jurgen Klopp and for what he already has achieved. Not only in Liverpool, but also in Dortmund. This guy really has it. And he has his best years still upon him.”
Rooney, who won five Premier League titles and a Champions League medal as a player of Manchester United, is currently playing in MLS as a member of D.C. United.
The Liverpool-born forward moved to the club in June 2018, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the American team as he left England for the first time in his successful career.
