Jürgen Klopp: Why joy is one of sport's most underrated performance tools
How important is it for players at this level to still have fun with the ball – and do you remember those moments from your own career?
When you get into professional football, sometimes people tend to forget that it’s actually a game. If you play a game without fun, without enjoying it, then it looks completely different. It’s a big challenge for players to keep the kid inside alive.
I scored a few goals, and a few worldies were there as well. So I was the most surprised person in the stadium when the ball went in, but I enjoyed it anyway. And at least for a few seconds I thought, ‘That’s exactly where I wanted to put the ball.’ Yeah, that’s how it is. I had great football moments – most of them nobody saw, but they were very important for me, to keep me going.
And with my team, fantastic, fantastic goals scored over the years, where I thought from a biomechanical point of view: impossible. But it was still possible, because the boys are incredible athletes and can do really special things.
Jürgen Klopp stresses the importance of having fun on the pitch
© Joerg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool
The players face massive pressure… that's the biggest difference
Watching Red Bull’s Ultimate Soccer Challenge, what impressed you most?
They were all impressive, but the most impressive was definitely the pass from Endrick on the treadmill, and Richard just controlled it with the first touch and scored. I didn’t think that was possible. I think you need a little bit of luck, but the control was exceptional. To finish that off with the first try is absolutely outstanding.
What’s dramatically different for players today compared to previous generations?
Everything is different. We live in a very public world, which is completely different to my past at least, or the past as well. The players face massive pressure. If you perform, everything is fine. If you don’t perform, make yourself ready, fasten your seatbelts and make sure you have good people around you. That’s the biggest difference.
On top of that, the game became faster, the players became stronger, they can run harder, faster, and they are more and more real super-athletes. I’m not sure in the past that was always the case; it wasn’t necessary. When they all have the same level, it’s still a really good game. Now, to keep up with the world’s best, you have to be a super-professional. And the players I worked together with, at least I can tell, they all were.
Always smiling – Jürgen Klopp is excited for the summer
© Joerg Mitter
I’m really looking forward to the World Cup
What is your gut feeling about which country might be at the top this summer and raise the trophy?
I know all the good football teams out there, but I also know that it depends on the tournament, the pathway you get, and whether you can grow together as a group. The strongest group with the strongest players will be up there in the final, but then they will meet another team that is similar, if not exactly the same.
And then we all sit there in a comfortable chair and watch these guys, after a six-week tournament, give their absolute best. So, I don’t know, but I’m really looking forward to the World Cup.