Klopp among the best?

Best manager in the world. Always a controversial topic with many arguments claiming different managers. For what it’s worth, i will throw my opinion into the hat. Jürgen Klopp. Sure, he is not considered among the Ferguson’s, Mourinhio’s and Guardiola’s but is that fair.

Not so long ago, Borussia Dortmund was forced to go public and was very close to going under through massive debts. Players had to take a 20% pay cut just so the club had a chance to survive.  However despite this the team is now once again playing among Europe’s elite and just last week beat Real Madrid in the Champions League. Now the question arises how?.

I put it down to the one man... Jurgen Klopp. Klopp was appointed as Borussia Dortmund in 2008 following consecutive seasons of which Dortmund had underperformed. Results were immediate as the team won the DFB Supercup in his first season in charge. Following that however the club encountered a few average seasons finishing fifth and sixth in consecutive years. When looking at that period now we can view it as the rebuilding phase. Cause following those two years they have reached new heights beating Bayern to the title two years in a row. Through in a Pokal victory in last year’s final against Bayern and you got pretty impressive reading.

Features of the Dortmund play are impressive. That is how I came to start watching and to support such a team. Dortmund is renowned for a high tempo pressing game which is pretty to watch and when at their best it is the closest to perfect you will experience. The features of the play do not involve a special individual player taking on multiple defenders but with simple hard work. Even watching, you can see everyone wants to give 200% effort for the guy next to him.  Now just in case you don’t know, this style is effective but at the same time if one piece of the puzzle is out of place warning bells go off which is proven through their slow start in this year’s edition of the Bundesliga.

However if successful it tears apart the opposition. This is frequently the case because of the confidence which is installed into the eleven individuals who are allowed on the field. The man management of Klopp is frequently shown by his players. Personally I will not forget the scenes of him easing Mitch Langerak's nerves in the 2012 Pokal final. This is just one instance of many.

Given these facts I believe he should be considered amongst the managerial elite and if he is given the chance at a club like Real Madrid, Manchester United or Barcelona he will get results. Bare in mind Dortmund only has a fraction of the salaries of these clubs.

Justin Smith.