The German manager was at his most animated self and expressed concerns about how the game was being run
Outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken potshots at the broadcasters, FIFA and other footballing stakeholders in a recent ‘bombshell’ media address. Quizzed if he would consider a role in football administration post his Liverpool departure, possibly as the FIFA president, Klopp said he wouldn’t survive in the ‘sea of sharks’.
Klopp was addressing the media ahead of his side’s high-octane Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday (May 5). The German manager was at his most animated self and expressed concerns about how the game was being run.
“I got an award yesterday from the PFA, I don’t know exactly for what, but I think for speaking up for players. I never thought about it but they will need people in a normal age knowing the business,” said Klopp.
“But imagine me becoming FIFA president? It is obviously a well-paid job – that is why they all want to do it; not the official part obviously, but you can make a living from it. I don’t think I will spend my lifetime on these kind of things. Alone you can’t change anything. I probably wouldn’t survive in that sea of sharks,” he added.
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Earlier, Klopp had come down heavy on TNT Sports and accused the English broadcaster of contributing to the failure of Premier League clubs in Europe this season. Klopp said the fixture congestion due to the broadcaster’s greed was the primary reason for the big English teams crashing out of the European competitions.
“I had a discussion the other day with colleagues from my favourite TV channel which I will definitely never watch again, TNT. They always say: ‘They pay you. They give money for football.’ It’s the other way around. Football pays them,” said a seething Klopp.
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“They broadcast and deliver it but it’s not like TNT or Sky is doing really well and can pay all of you.That’s just a little advice from an old man on the way out. I will watch a lot of football but not all – people can survive without matches from time to time.”
Klopp also questioned the astronomical number of 12:30 pm kickoffs that Liverpool had been allotted in the past couple of seasons. The host broadcasters have a say in which team is given the afternoon slot and since Liverpool brings more eyeballs, the likes of TNT Sports routinely push Liverpool to the said slot. However, it means short turnaround time for the team which contributes to injuries and sluggish performances.
(With inputs from agencies)
