
21 Jan 2023
LMA INDUCTS JÜRGEN KLOPP INTO LMA 1000 CLUB
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.