Klopp’s Mount Rushmore of managers

December 17, 2025 Oliver Obel

Few modern coaches have shaped football as visibly as Jürgen Klopp. From rebuilding Borussia Dortmund into Bundesliga champions to ending Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a league title, his career places him firmly among the defining managers of the 21st century.

Although Klopp stepped down from his role at Liverpool in 2024, he has hardly stepped away from the sport. Now serving as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, he has continued to reflect publicly on the ideas and figures that influenced his own approach to management.

In a recent interview, he was asked a deceptively simple question: which four managers belong on football’s Mount Rushmore?

Rather than focusing on personal accolades, Klopp’s answers revealed the philosophies and traditions he believes shaped the modern game.

Cruyff’s lasting blueprint

Klopp’s first choice was Johan Cruyff, the former Barcelona manager whose ideas still underpin elite football today. Cruyff’s commitment to positional play, technical control and collective movement remains central to how many top teams operate.

Speaking about the Dutchman, Klopp said Cruyff was “the most influential football coach I have ever heard of,” adding: “The way he saw football, the way he understood football, is just second to none.” Klopp has frequently cited Cruyff’s thinking as foundational to contemporary coaching, even for managers who never worked directly under him.

Guardiola: rivalry built on respect

Pep Guardiola was Klopp’s second selection, reflecting a rivalry that defined an era in both Germany and England. The two faced each other 30 times across their managerial careers, more than Klopp encountered any other coach, as Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City battled for domestic and European honours.

Despite the intensity of those contests, Klopp has consistently spoken of his admiration for Guardiola. After Guardiola reached 1,000 matches as a manager, Klopp praised him publicly, saying: “It was a pleasure and it was an honour to face you that often during our careers.

Most difficult games, but anyhow, the games I enjoyed the most, because you were and you are an inspiration to all of us.

“The way you understand football is pretty much second to none. The desire you show every day is absolutely outstanding.”

Legacy figures: Ferguson and Shankly

Klopp’s final two choices focused less on tactical innovation and more on long-term legacy. One was Sir Alex Ferguson, whose tenure at Manchester United set the benchmark for sustained success in English football.

Although Klopp never faced Ferguson directly, he has previously described the Scot as “a role model for every manager,” citing his longevity and authority in the role.

The final spot prompted more hesitation. Klopp considered several names before settling on Bill Shankly, the architect of Liverpool’s modern identity.

Shankly transformed the club over 15 years, guiding them from the Second Division to domestic dominance and laying the foundations for European success under Bob Paisley.

Explaining his decision, Klopp said: “And now I barely can decide. Carlo Ancelotti is in my mind, obviously. Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, I heard so much about them, never saw them. But yes, I want to see Bill Shankly on the Mount Rushmore. That’s it.”

Together, Klopp’s selections reflect a blend of innovation, rivalry and legacy values that mirror his own career on the touchline.

You can see the Full Video Below:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MCFC/comments/1poaglc/klopp_includes_pep_in_the_mount_rushmore_of/?utm_source=embedv2&utm_medium=post_embed&utm_content=whitespace&embed_host_url=https://www.givemesport.com/jurgen-klopp-greatest-managers-football-soccer-history-ferguson-guardiola/

Sources: BBC Sport, Sky Sports, The Guardian, Premier League official records, Bundesliga official records