Just say the word 🔥Former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has opened up about his views on football’s greatest managers of all time, offering insight into the figures who have most influenced the modern game following his exit from Anfield.
As excitement builds ahead of the 2025 FIFA Best Football Awards in Doha, Klopp added his voice to the celebrations by revealing a personal “Mount Rushmore” of coaching legends — a list of four managers he believes reshaped football in profound and lasting ways.
In sharing his selections, Klopp stressed that football should never forget the individuals who defined eras and transformed how the game is played and understood. Notably, the German tactician deliberately excluded himself from the list, despite his own immense success.
He also left out several highly decorated managers, including José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Arrigo Sacchi, underscoring how selective and personal the exercise was.
At the top of Klopp’s list is Johan Cruyff, a figure he credits with shaping his football philosophy more than anyone else.
Klopp spoke with deep admiration about Cruyff’s revolutionary ideas, describing the Dutchman as a visionary whose understanding of space, movement, and collective play changed football forever.
According to Klopp, Cruyff didn’t just win trophies — he redefined how the sport could be played, leaving a legacy that continues to influence generations of coaches.
The second name Klopp highlighted was Pep Guardiola, whom he views as a modern extension of Cruyff’s footballing ideology.
Klopp praised Guardiola’s tactical brilliance and attention to detail, noting that no manager has challenged him more throughout his career.
The two coaches crossed paths numerous times during Klopp’s stints at Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool, creating one of football’s most compelling managerial rivalries.
Over 30 encounters, Klopp recorded 12 victories, suffered 11 defeats, and shared the spoils in seven matches — a testament to how closely matched their battles were.
Sir Alex Ferguson was described as an unavoidable inclusion. Klopp spoke with enormous respect about the legendary Manchester United manager, emphasizing not only Ferguson’s trophy-laden career but also his extraordinary leadership and longevity.
Klopp has previously compared Ferguson to a cultural institution, praising his ability to rebuild teams across decades while maintaining elite standards.
For Klopp, Ferguson represents sustained excellence and authority at the very highest level of football.
Selecting the fourth and final name proved to be the most difficult decision. Klopp admitted he considered several iconic Italian coaches and historic Liverpool managers before settling on Bill Shankly.
Although Klopp never saw Shankly manage firsthand, he explained that the Scot’s influence on Liverpool’s identity was impossible to ignore.
Shankly’s philosophy, values, and connection to the club’s supporters laid the foundations for everything Liverpool later became — including the environment Klopp himself inherited.
In the end, Klopp’s “Mount Rushmore” features Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Bill Shankly a group that blends tactical innovation, transformational leadership, and long-term success.
Together, they represent different eras and philosophies, yet all share one defining trait: an enduring impact that continues to shape football today.
