Let’s play a game of compare and contrast.
In the build-up to tonight’s hotly anticipated Liverpool vs Manchester United match, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was asked if Jose Mourinho had lost his edge, after he was sacked by Chelsea last season, and has faced a tricky start to life at Old Trafford.
The German immediately leapt to the defence of his rival.
“He knows how successful football works,” he said. “To like or not like the way he plays, why should he care? Why should he care?
“He has won the Champions League more times than I have played in it. That’s how it is. How can I say who is on the way up and who is on the way down?
(Photo by Clint Hughes/Getty Images)
“I am not interested and absolutely not part of the group that says Jose Mourinho was or has been a good manager when he still is.”
Now let’s look at what Mourinho was saying at almost the same time as he was being defended by Klopp.
The Portuguese was asked if Klopp reminded him of himself – particularly his animated style on the touchline during games.
Mourinho did not immediately leap to his rival’s defence.
“I’m on the touchline to try to coach,” came the terse reply. “I’m not on the touchline to…” he didn’t finish the sentence with words, instead he flapped his hands about in the air.
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Perhaps it’s no wonder Mourinho is not impressed with Klopp – he has not fared well against the German in recent times. His Real Madrid side were hammered 4-1 by Klopp’s Dortmund in a Champions League semi-final – a result that ended Mourinho’s hopes of winning La Decima, and his career at the Bernabeu.
(Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Then last season Klopp got his first Premier League win over Mourinho’s faltering Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last year.
Klopp can afford to be magnanimous about his rival – so far be has got the better of him.
For Mourinho, this is strange territory. There aren’t many managers who have bested him, save for Pep Guardiola, and he is responding in the same way he did to the ex-Barca man: doing him down in the press.
But will his old tactic work again?
Klopp’s approach – inclusive, friendly, smiley – seems refreshing in contrast to Mourinho’s spoiler tactics. In both cases their media game seems to mirror their tactical approach on the field.
The two resume hostilities this evening at Anfield, when the battle for the points – and the touchline – will begin again.
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