Jürgen Klopp promised not to stand in the way of Pep Linders in his attempt to become a manager, but told his assistant that he has enough time to realize his ambitions and that for now it is better in Liverpool.
Linders made no secret of his ambition to rule, but dedicated his future to Liverpool with Klopp when he and his other aide, Peter Kraviec, signed four-year extensions on Thursday.
Klopp believes the 39-year-old Dutchman has all the qualities to succeed on his own, but warned that it may be more difficult to take command of the struggling country.
And the 54-year-old believes that part of the reason for his own mastery is that he has built a good backstage staff, consisting mainly of younger coaches.
He said: “I know that Pep will be an outstanding manager in the future. I really enjoy working together – and Pete Kraviec – we got fully involved in this project. And that’s it. He’s not yet 40, so it’s a long time after all this to be alone. We are all currently enjoying working here together.
“His own ambitions will never stop and I will never stop them. I am a very experienced manager of an older generation. It’s crazy to say, but it’s true. My great strength is that I bring in really good people and then let them thrive. That doesn’t always mean telling them, “No, no, no, we’ve done that in the past.” No, I’m listening [to] them because they are much closer, because they are making their badges right now. It’s really interesting what they tell you now, and now what I can tell them about what we’ve done in the past.
“Life is progress and you are up to date with all the events around you and that is what we do. And they keep me on track, and I keep them calm and in order, and obviously I can help a little. Now we have an agreement for a little while and everyone is really happy for a while. And we are not detaining anyone.
“What’s better?” To be the coach of a first team with a huge influence in a world-class club or to go out there to be the main person in the wrong club and to lose more often than not? So we are all smart enough to know that we do not take this situation for granted. The club gave us the opportunity to build a really good football team. We have it now, so let’s try to be as successful as possible. “
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