The League Managers Association (LMA) congratulates Jürgen Klopp on his induction into the LMA Hall of Fame 1000 Club.

Jürgen becomes only the 36th manager in the modern era of English football to have reached the landmark of 1000 competitive matches. He reaches this milestone on 21st January when Liverpool face Chelsea in the Premier League.

Jürgen was previously inducted into the LMA Hall of Fame in 2019, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to football management.

Speaking ahead of his 1000th match, Jürgen Klopp said: “It is such an honour for me to be inducted into the LMA 1000 Club alongside the other 35 LMA members including, of course, Sir Alex Ferguson.
 
"I have been a manager for 22 years next month and, throughout that time, I have been fortunate to have had the wonderful support of my family, who play a pivotal role in all that I am able to achieve.  
 
"Working with my players and staff across these 1000 matches has been a privilege and, without doubt, I share this milestone acknowledgement with all of them across the years. I love being out on the training pitch working and developing players and I never forget how lucky I am in to be in a profession that allows me to do that.
 
"One of the most special things about all of these matches that I have managed is being able to feel the passion and energy of the supporters and, with my players, always endeavouring to make the supporters feel happy and proud of their team."

LMA Committee and 1000 Club member Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, paying tribute to Jürgen's achievement, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Jürgen Klopp to the LMA 1000 Club. Jürgen is undoubtedly one of the most gifted managers in world football and the dedication and passion which Jürgen brings to his role is inspiring to anyone aspiring to a career in football management.

"The many trophies he has already won in his career, including in recent seasons the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool, confirm his status amongst football’s elite.

"Jürgen is an important advocate of the LMA and always willingly gives his time and support to the association.

"I am certain that Jürgen will continue his trajectory of success and add many more matches to the 1000 he achieves this weekend."

LMA Chairman Howard Wilkinson said: “Jürgen's successful progress through German football, including winning two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund, to Premier League Liverpool, one of the world’s most legendary clubs, has led him to this milestone that all managers aspire to.

"He has demonstrated a remarkable ability to build incredible relationships with players, coaches and entire fanbases. A huge congratulations to Jürgen on his outstanding career to date." 

LMA Chief Executive Richard Bevan OBE said: "On behalf of everyone at the League Managers Association, I congratulate Jürgen on this outstanding achievement.

"Jürgen has had an evident and transformative impact on the clubs he has managed. To have won 12 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and the Premier League with Liverpool, is a true testament to the desire and belief he clearly instils in his players and all those around him.

"It is always motivating to have managers with the experience of Jürgen helping the LMA to support and develop young coaches."

Career

Jürgen began his professional football management career with Mainz 05. In 2004, he notably secured Bundesliga promotion for the first time in the club's history. He left Mainz as the club's longest-serving manager and became manager of Borussia Dortmund. As manager of Dortmund, Jürgen led the club to the Bundesliga title in 2010–11, before winning Dortmund's first-ever domestic double during a record-breaking season. He also guided Dortmund to a runner-up finish in the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League before leaving in 2015 as their longest-serving manager.

In 2015, Jürgen was appointed manager of Premier League side Liverpool. During his time in Merseyside, he guided the club to successive UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter to secure Liverpool's sixth title in the competition. In 2019-20, Jürgen's team won the UEFA Super Cup and Liverpool's first FIFA Club World Cup, before delivering Liverpool's first Premier League title, amassing a club record 99 points and breaking a number of top-flight records.

These achievements with Liverpool resulted in Jürgen winning two LMA Manager of the Year awards in 2020 and 2022, back-to-back FIFA Coach of the Year awards in 2019 and 2020, and the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in 2022.