Klopp to Liverpool - The Right Decision?

Two days ago, Jurgen Klopp, previous manager of Borussia Dortmund, signed a contract to manage Liverpool F.C., which had sacked Brendon Rogers after the Merseyside derby. Rodgers had been given full control of the transfers, and the backroom staff, but after an indifferent start to the season, the move to sack him was a sensible one. And in Jurgen Klopp, they had a manager of huge pedigree waiting to take over the reins. However, is it the right decision for both the club, and the manager?

From Klopp's point of view, he could have waited till the end of the season, and got a chance to manage Bayern Munich. There was also a possibility that Chelsea, Real Madrid, or even Manchester City could have come calling, if performances of these teams were not up to the expectations. But since there was no assurance that he would get a chance to manage any of these teams come summer, Klopp decided that restoring Liverpool to its past glory was a challenge worth accepting. For Klopp, it is a sensible move, but only after some time will he realise the enormity of the task awaiting him.

And now to the big question, if Klopp the right manager for Liverpool?

Liverpool were no longer progressing under Rodgers. A managerial change was needed. The two options – Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp were proven managers at the highest level. Jurgen Klopp does fit the bill. When he took over Dortmund in 2008, the club was languishing in the lower half of the table. Within two years, he had reinvigorated them, led them to two league titles, a DFB Pokal, as well as the final of the Champions League. His brand of attacking, direct football, along with a high press when off the ball, won many admirers the world over. A similar challenge awaits him here. He is the exact opposite of Rodgers – where one wants to play beautiful, stylish football, the other plays a direct, physical brand, intent on blowing oppositions away. Klopp has already brought hope, and excitement amongst Liverpool fans.

But Liverpool owners will know that Klopp may not be a long term solution. Klopp managed Mainz 05 for 8 years, where he achieved promotion from the lower league, and even took them into Europe. But by the time he left, the team were back in the second division, and he was unable to bring them back. In Dortmund too, a similar story follows. He took over when they were 13th, achieved success in his 6 years at the helm, but in his last season, BVB ended a disappointing 7th. It is quite possible that Liverpool too suffers the same fate.

In the short run though, bringing Klopp to the Kop seems like a great decision. He can lead a historic team back to its rightful place at the top of the table, as well as bring some more excitement to an already exciting league.