Jurgen Klopp Pays Tribute To “Influencer” Arsene Wenger

Jurgen Klopp admitted that he was surprised by Arsene Wenger’s decision…

Classy from Jurgen Klopp on Arsene Wenger ? pic.twitter.com/p8ALJGWoxA

— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) April 20, 2018

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admitted that he was surprised by Arsene Wenger’s decision on Friday afternoon to step down as Arsenal manager after 22-years at the club.

A sudden statement was released on the Arsenal website from Wenger claiming that after lengthy discussions with the club’s hierarchy, he felt it was time to step aside.

Unlike Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, a ready-made replacement wasn’t revealed to coincide with a monumental departure, with all the focus now on clinching the Europa League.

Klopp, who’s long spoken of his admiration for Wenger, said that the Frenchman remained one of the main points of reference for any coach in the world.

“I was surprised,”  Klopp told reporters ahead of Liverpool’s game at West Brom.

“But it’s his decision, first of all, and we have to respect that. He was, and is still, an influencer. In football he has a fantastic career, outstanding personality, a really big player in that business.

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“Maybe in the last few months not everybody was happy anymore about this or that result…but he always developed teams, fantastic players and was the dominating guy in the mid-90s, maybe early 2000s. He was really winning pretty much everything, playing wonderful football.

“I admired his work always, his work was always brilliant,” the German added.

Klopp was previously seen as a potential successor to Wenger and it’s clear to see why given how Liverpool are performing.

The former Dortmund boss and every foreign coach coming into the Premier League owes the Frenchman a debt of gratitude given the foundations he laid.

source: Liverpool Echo