Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp predicts title within four years ‘if you are patient’

Calling himself 'the Normal One' Jurgen Klopp made his first comments as Liverpool manager on Friday, adding 'this could be a very special day, if you are patient. When I sit here in four years, I think we will win one title.'

Jurgen Klopp is introduced as the new manager of Liverpool during a press conference on Friday at Anfield. Alex Livesey / Getty Images / October 9, 2015

New Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described himself as "The Normal One" as he faced the media for the first time on Friday following his appointment as successor to Brendan Rodgers.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho famously described himself as “a special one” in his first press conference in English football in 2004, earning him the nickname “The Special One”.

But Klopp, 48, told a packed room of journalists at Anfield: “I don’t want to describe myself. I’m a totally normal guy. I’m the Normal One.”

Read more: Youth, unity, loyalty and a little bit of heavy metal: Greg Lea on the expected look of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool

The former Borussia Dortmund head coach was appointed on Thursday on a three-year contract following the dismissal of Rodgers, who was sacked last Sunday after three and a half years at the club.

“I am a normal guy from the Black Forest. I don’t compare myself with genius managers in this club’s history,”added Klopp, who led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final appearance.

“It’s cool that you’re looking for that, but it’s not my part to think about that. I don’t think any manager starts by saying that they want to be a legend.

“I was a very, very average player. I was at a special club in Germany with Mainz 05 and then had a great opportunity to take Dortmund for seven years. Now I’m here and I hope to enjoy my work.”

In an interview with the club’s in-house television channel, LFC TV, Klopp described the job as “the biggest challenge ... in the world of football”.

His first game at the helm will be a trip to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on October 17.

Liverpool won the last of their 18 league titles in 1990 under the stewardship of Kenny Dalglish.

Rodgers led them to a second-place finish in 2014, but they finished sixth last season and are currently in 10th place in the table with 12 points from eight games.

While Klopp called for patience, he has set himself the objective of winning a league title by 2019.

“It’s been crazy here,” he said. “But it’s not so important what people think when you come in. It’s important what people think when you leave. So please give us time.

“This could be a very special day, if you are patient. When I sit here in four years, I think we will win one title.”

Klopp introduced a style of high-octane football during his time at Dortmund and he pledged that Liverpool would play at “full throttle”.

“I believe in a playing philosophy that is very emotional, very fast and very strong,” he said. “My teams must play at full throttle and take it to the limit every single game.”

He added: “Liverpool has extraordinary supporters and Anfield is a world renowned home, with an incredible atmosphere.

“I want to build a great relationship with these supporters and give them memories to cherish. I hope we can feed off each other’s energy and that we take this journey together.”

Klopp confirmed that his assistants at Dortmund, Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz, would join him at Liverpool.

He also thanked Liverpool’s American owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) for appointing him and said he was happy to work with their transfer committee, which oversees the club’s recruitment strategy.

“It was absolutely no problem between FSG and myself,” he said.

“We talked about this. It’s nothing. If two clever, intelligent guys sit at a table and you both want the same, what can be the problem?”

Klopp’s contract is reported to be worth £5 million (Dh28m) per year, rising to £7 million with bonuses.

“In Jurgen Klopp we have appointed a world-class manager with a proven track record of winning and someone who has the personality and charisma to reignite this football club and take the team forward,” said Liverpool chairman Tom Werner.

“Critically, he is also a winner and someone who can connect with and enthuse our supporters.”

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