DORTMUND, GERMANY - APRIL 7: Coach of Liverpool Juergen Klopp and coach of Dortmund Thomas Tuchel look on following the UEFA Europa League quarter final first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool FC at Signal Iduna Park aka Westfalenstadion on April 7, 2016 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel spoke about his relationship with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and how the pair are ‘not half as close as everybody thinks.’
The German managers are set to square off against each other as Chelsea take a trip to Anfield in what is a vital clash for the top-four race.
More often than not Tuchel and Klopp are viewed through the same lens, just a few years apart due to the similarities in their career paths. Tuchel succeeded Klopp both times at Maiz and Borussia Dortmund. They have squared off previously with their former sides and are set to reignite that tonight.
With a crucial six-pointer up for grabs, Tuchel spoke about Klopp and his relationship with the Liverpool manager.
“It’s nice to be compared because he’s one of the best coaches in Europe. On one hand, it’s nice because it tells you you’ve reached a certain level, and then at some point, it’s not nice because it does not tell the truth.
“I like him a lot and I am full of respect and we have good times when we meet in coaches’ meetings, there is no doubt about it, but we are not half as close as everybody thinks.”
When asked if he has operated under Klopp’s shadow, Tuchel clarified that he did not feel that way because they never really got a chance to work together. He explained that they were not in charge of the same club at different levels. For example, he was not in the academy when Klopp was in the first-team.
Tuchel added that he understands why people thought so because of how much influence Klopp left at a club and he succeeded the latter for a period of time. Tuchel thinks that their Dortmund stints solidified that opinion among people. It will be fascinating to see how both these top managers fare on their reunion.
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