Liverpool: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that having breakfast with former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was like "meeting the Pope".
"I know it's not 100 per cent appropriate as a Liverpool manager - but I admire him. He was the first British manager I met and we had breakfast together," Liverpool's official website quoted Klopp as saying.
"It was long ago and I'm not sure if he remembers it still, but I remember it forever because it was for me in this moment like meeting the Pope if you want!" he added.
Klopp's comments came after winning the League Managers Association's Manager of the Year award.
Liverpool's Premier League-winning boss was announced as the 2019-20 recipient of the prestigious accolade on Monday, having guided his team to a club-record 99 points in the top flight this season.
Reflecting on winning the award, Klopp said, "I am absolutely delighted to get this wonderful trophy. It's really wonderful and I had already the opportunity to have a look who won it before and there are obviously a lot of big, big Liverpool names involved."
Legendary former Manchester United manager Ferguson pronounced the German manager’s praises as the award was announced, and revealed that he got a surprise phone call from him after they won the league this season.
"I'll forgive you for waking me up at 3.30 am to tell me you have won the league!" Ferguson added at the end of his tribute. "Thank you, but anyway, you thoroughly deserved it. Well done."
Klopp was happy to put club rivalries aside and reveal how much he admires the Scottish manager, who he first met in the early stages of his coaching career.
"I know it's not 100 per cent appropriate as a Liverpool manager but I admire him," Klopp said after winning the LMA award.
