The energetic coach was an instant hit at Anfield, with the German’s high-energy brand of ‘heavy metal’ football both pleasing on the eye as well as capable of delivering results against big sides.
However, it has not been an easy ride for Klopp, with the Stuttgart native admitting that his school grades could have made it difficult for him to forge what has ultimately become a hugely exciting career.
“I do what I love and that’s the biggest thing,” the 50-year-old told former Red Robbie Fowler in an interview for the Mirror.
“When I passed my A-levels, the head of the school said in front of all of the other students: ‘I hope you do something in football otherwise I’m not optimistic for you!’
“It was really hard in that moment, I can tell you. But I sit here today and I can train a club like Liverpool – it still feels like a f*cking sensation! It’s unbelievable!”
Fowler went on to touch on Klopp’s clear devotion to the club, with it having emerged that he had originally planned to a break after his seven-year spell at Signal Iduna Park.
When the call from Anfield came in, however, there was only one answer he could give.
“I felt something special immediately when Mike Gordon called me,” he said.
“I was not ready, I thought it made sense that I had one year off. But I really knew, ok, that is one club that I can not say no to.”
The final represents Klopp’s second time making it to the final of Europe’s top club competition, with the manager having lost to Bayern Munich during his time at Dortmund in 2013.
Indeed, Klopp will hope to break something of a cup final hoodoo, having only emerged victorious in one of six in his managerial career, lifting the DFB Pokal in 2012 with BVB.
Kick-off for the showpiece event in Kiev is at 7:45pm UK time (2:45pm US ET).
