Ian Ayre and FSG deserve enormous credit for the decision they made last year to appoint Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager and then get the deal over the line.
It’s been 12 months since Brendan Rodgers was sacked and the charismatic German was given the job, becoming one of the highest paid managers in world football. As a club we don’t compete for players on that scale, so tempting Klopp was undeniably a coup, even if the boss says he always had aspirations of moving to Merseyside.
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Liverpool gave Klopp and his team of backroom staff six year contract extensions during the summer, a sign of the club’s trust and belief in what he’s done so far – but Ayre suggests it’s not ‘Klopp’s way or the highway’ for the Reds.
“It’s not true to say we invested everything in him. He is extremely collaborative. He is prepared to have the debate. He will say his piece and stand his ground, and so he should, but he is a grown-up and he is prepared to accept that not everything will be as he wants,” he told the Express.
“When you come to a football club from another country and another league, it is very difficult to be accepted. To get so many people behind him so quickly is great testament to the person he is.
“Whatever happens on the football pitch in the future only time will tell, but I don’t think you could pick a better character to fit this club. Seeing that unfold has certainly given me satisfaction.
“It is a massive challenge and won’t be without its ups and downs but in terms of did we get the right man for the job? There is absolutely no question. That stands out a mile.”
Ayre is leaving the club at the end of the season to go and join 1860 Munich in Germany in what’s a brave and interesting career move. We’re not sure how is German is, so we wish him luck in Klopp’s home country!
Thankfully, Klopp’s here to stay. He loves the club, the city and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for Liverpool FC.