- Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp has been named the League Managers’ Association manager of the year after his team won the Premier League-the Reds’ first English top-flight title for 30 years.
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson after announcing Klopp as the winner on Sky Sports said: “It was thoroughly deserved.”
“The performance level of your team was outstanding. Your personality runs right through the whole club.”
Liverpool won the Premier League title by 18 points from second-placed Manchester City after amassing 99 points.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be named the winner of the League Managers Association manager of the year award, for this wonderful Sir Alex Ferguson trophy, named after a man that I admire so much,” Klopp said.
He added: “It feels extra special to win this award because it is voted for by my fellow managers.
“I know it’s not 100% appropriate as a Liverpool manager – but I admire him. He was the first British manager I met and we had breakfast together. It was long ago and I’m not sure if he remembers it still, but I remember it forever because it was for me in this moment like meeting the Pope if you want!”
“It was absolutely great and from the first second, we really clicked. I wouldn’t have thought in that moment that one day I would hold the trophy in my hands which is named after him.”
“It’s an honour to be in the company of so many managers who have been named as LMA manager of the year before, including of course Liverpool managers like Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Sir Kenny Dalglish and, in recent years, Brendan Rodgers.”
“I am here on behalf of my coaches. I’m OK as a manager but they make us a real special bunch of football brains and I love to work with them together. To work together with Pep Lijnders, Peter Krawietz, John Achterberg, Vitor Matos, and Jack Robinson – it’s a pleasure.”
