LIVERPOOL MANAGER JURGEN Klopp warned his players he has a darker side if they fail to live up to expectations.
Klopp’s time in charge of the club has started with consecutive draws – a 0-0 result at Tottenham and 1-1 stalemate against Rubin Kazan in the Europa League.
The German’s public image is one of an eccentric and entertaining coach, but Klopp said his players would find out otherwise if they under-performed.
“If a player is full of motivation, concentration, readiness and passion, I am not hard with them. I have open arms and maybe give a last kick,” he said ahead of Sunday’s clash against Southampton.
“But if a player doesn’t understand the professional part of his life, it is a little bit of a waste of time.
“I can help if they are very young of course, talk to them and give maybe one, two or three chances.
“But when they are older and have had five chances with other managers, then it is a waste of time.
“I love to be something like a friend of the player, but not their best friend.” K
lopp met Liverpool’s owners on Friday, a day after the draw in Europe, and the message was clear. The former Borussia Dortmund coach said he wanted minimal contact with the owners.
“They only want that I solve the problems,” Klopp said. “It is always the same. The less contact we have, the better I think.
“[It means] everything is OK. That is what I want, we don’t have to stay in contact all day, [saying] ‘What happened this day?’ and so on.
“I am here, I am the manager, the sport part of this club is my responsibility and that is what I try to do all day. But we have a real good relationship, everything is OK.”
Kick-off at Anfield is at 4pm.
If he didn’t write it is it not just a biography?
@the druid: But they say it’s ‘written by Niall Kelly’, ergo it can’t by its very definition be an autobiography
@the druid: Sorry I sent that before your next message!
@COYBIG: it’s an autobiography because it’s written (or in this case ghostwritten) from his own point of view. If it was a biography it would be someone else’s description of his life.
@Stephen: Do ye seriously think sports stars all write their own books, word for word. If ye actually believe that, I’m afraid I’ve some bad news for ye about Santa Claus…
@Ewan Euphrenza: Ya you’re right, I was being pedantic
@Dermot Dooley: No Dermot, it is only an ‘autobiography’ if is self-written by Philly on his own.
@Martin Fahy: Autobiographies can, and very often are, ghostwritten. As in this case.
I live in Ballymun and have known Philly and his dad, Phil, for over 30 years. The bit of this excellent book that I like best [so far!] is where an opponent tried to rile him by saying “Your dad’s only a Provo”, to which Philly retorted “And what did your dad do in the troubles?” Advantage Philly!
@Sean Marlow: hahaha good one!!
Just another Dublin player cashing in ….
@Patrick j Brady: I see Kieran Donaghy was a previous winner and Gooch has a book out to top up the money that he earned from his testimonial dinner, which was expected to make 250K. What exactly is your point again?
@Patrick j Brady: Must be from Mayo.. The chap has 4 or 5 gyms, his own healthy eating company and a patent on a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine, wouldn’t say he’s “cashing in” you pratt.. great read. Fair play.
@Sean @114: Gooch gave his testimonial money to charity.
@Colin McCarthy: ‘part’ of it to charity , ‘Part’ of it to his club and the vast bulk of it to his accountant
@Patrick j Brady: would your bitterness stem from the fact no Meath player is worthy of a story to put in print
Fair play. He’s an ambitious fella
Really great book. Well done to Niall Kelly also, the ghost writing is superb. Some passages in it are absolutely haunting; the picture of what went on for young Philly and John is painted so well.
More than just a sports book.. a terrific read…heartbreakingly sad in parts but uplifting throughout
Not a fan of his but well done on the award