Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski has praised the impact that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had on his early career in Germany.
The pair were brought together at Borussia Dortmund in 2010 but the heralded Poland forward has admitted he struggled at first before Klopp gave him a helping hand.
Speaking to The Players’ Tribune, Lewandowski revealed what the charismatic German did to inspire him to hit his best form a decade ago:
When I arrived I could barely speak a word of German. I knew ‘Danke’. Thank you. The weather was rainy and grey. And with Klopp, the intensity in training was very high.
I was desperate to make my mark, and Jürgen wanted to challenge me. So in the first few months, we made a little bet. If I scored 10 goals in a training session, he’d give me 50 euros. If I didn’t, I’d give him 50 euros.
Now 32, following a first season in Germany which yielded a modest eight Bundesliga goals, the lethal striker hasn’t looked back since, scoring at least 17 in each of the subsequent 10 seasons.
Lewandowski went one step further in his praise of his former manager, saying: “Jürgen was not only a father figure to me. As a coach, he was like the ‘bad’ teacher. And I mean that in the best sense of the word.”
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Fortunately for the Reds, the reunions between the two since Klopp arrived at Anfield have ended favourably for Liverpool – perhaps Lewandowski can’t bring himself to score against someone he clearly admires immensely.
Despite his advancing years, the 116-cap Pole remains at the very peak of his powers.
If he fancies a swansong with his former boss and ‘father figure’, then Liverpool would likely welcome a world-class player and his frankly ludicrous goalscoring record with open arms.
