Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was in Cape Town on Thursday evening to attend a fundraising event for the Hout Bay United Football Community (HBUFC) - an initiative he has passionately supported since 2017.
Image: Backpagepix
Unjani!
That’s how former Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp greeted hundreds of Reds fans in Cape Town on Thursday evening.
Klopp, who was the first manager to lead Liverpool to the Premier League title in 30 years, remains as popular as ever despite leaving the club at the end of the 2023/24 season. The 57-year-old German is in South Africa supporting the Hout Bay United Football Community (HBUF) fundraiser, which he’s passionately been a patron of since 2017.
Liverpool are currently closing in on their 20th title, enjoying a 13-point lead at the top of the table, under new Dutch manager Arne Slot.
Klopp has not returned to Anfield due to work commitments in his new post as Head of Global Soccer Red Bull, but intimated that he will head back to Liverpool for the victory parade when they are crowned champions for the 20th time - equalling the tally of arch-rivals Manchester United.
Klopp and his Premier League champion team missed out on the open top bus parade through Liverpool's city in 2019-20 due to the Covid-19 virus. He did, however, have the opportunity the previous season when a million fans greeted his Uefa Champions League winning squad after the 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid.
"Yes, the plan is [to be in Liverpool] but not on the bus, I will be there with the people I saw on the bus," said Klopp.
"That's the idea to be honest, but we will see. I think I will be there for the last game... I didn't want to go earlier to be honest because I didn't want to jinx it all the time. If I'm in the stadium for the first time and they lose, 'oh f*** sake'. So I go there when it's decided."
During Klopp’s decade-long stay at Anfield his greatest adversary was Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
The duo pushed each other to incredible lengths with both teams breaking numerous league points records along the way.
Guardiola has previously stated that “We are not friends - we don't lunch together - I have his number, but I don't call him” before quantifying his statement, though, with "I respect Jurgen [Klopp] so much. He has made me a better manager.”
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp enjoys a cold beverage on stage.
Image: Backpagpix
Klopp has a similar admiration for the Spaniard and hopes that when Guardiola eventually calls time on his career that they can actually get together and relive their on-field battles.
“It's difficult in this business with playing every three days to become friends with managers. I always had the sense that if Pep is not in charge anymore and I'm not in charge anymore, we would have a proper night together,” he said.
“Sitting together, talking about what happened and stuff like this. I really thought that, but maybe it will never happen, I have no clue.”
Klopp shared that he had similar feelings towards his Real Madrid counterpart Carlo Ancelloti.
“So I love, honestly, I literally love Carlo Ancelotti. And then he became manager of Madrid.
“So it's like you just don't call each other for a while. I knew it will not last long.
“And it's a bit the same with Man United, to be honest. And so with the other clubs, I don't mind. You don't meet.
“On the sideline, I'm pretty sure if it was somebody else, we would have an interview tonight. And they would get asked and they would maybe say, I don't know.
“But this is a special moment, a very special occasion during games. We are not the person we are usually. Imagine I would be like that in my private life.
“Morning. Coffee! (screams) Imagine that. That would be crazy. So I'm a pretty calm person, but it looks completely different.”
FILE - Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola share a moment during a League Cup game.
Image: AFP