And because “my love for you has grown, the least I owe you is the truth!”

That was probably THE headline in the sports world last week: Jürgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool FC this summer.

People magnet
Brand ambassador
Role model
Leader
A normal guy!

But what makes Jürgen Klopp stand out as a coach and leader?

He once said: “Right from the beginning, I decided to be the coach I always wished I had.” And Jürgen has lived up to this intention over the years—if not decades—and how! Jürgen Klopp is one of the best and most successful coaches football has ever seen. But he is much more than that: a strong character—and above all, a true leader.

This is exactly what is reflected in the way—and the reasons—he has now decided to leave Liverpool FC at the end of the season. Instead of simply carrying on, he is putting his health—and with it, the future of the club—first. He was honest with himself and realized that he increasingly lacks the energy to continue doing this job with 100% passion and 100% dedication. That takes courage—and deserves respect!

Authenticity, humanity, and honesty are, in my view, three of the most important qualities a good leader must possess. Even if the truth is not always what people want to hear—as in Klopp’s case—it ultimately leads to success and the right path in the long run.

Jürgen Klopp is a prime example that humanity can succeed even in the tough world of professional sports. What he consistently embodies is also what he expects from his team—which is why values-based collaboration is always of great importance to him:

“We’re together eight or nine times a week in a relatively confined space—and having a complete idiot there just because he can play a bit better is something I find extremely annoying.” — Jürgen Klopp

This statement perfectly illustrates how Jürgen Klopp thinks and acts—as a person, as a coach, and as a leader—and what lies at the heart of his many great successes: humanity!

This humanity, which defines Jürgen Klopp as a coach, is also reflected in his team. It shows how incredibly important the human factor is in a team (or in a company) for shared success. For him, shared values are at least as important as the players’ footballing abilities.

Thank you, Jürgen—and my greatest respect for so much honesty and humanity in the tough world of professional football.

This post was published by Christian Lang on LinkedIn on January 11, 2025. Zum Original-Beitrag