---
title: "Robert Lewandowski lauds ‘father figure’ Jurgen Klopp"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/robert-lewandowski-lauds-father-figure-jurgen-klopp/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-01-12T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-12T07:00:00Z"
---

# Robert Lewandowski lauds ‘father figure’ Jurgen Klopp

Bayern Munich superstar [Robert Lewandowski](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2020/12/10/liverpool-could-have-eight-players-in-2020-fifpro-world-xi/) has praised the impact that [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/01/11/liverpool-willing-to-sell-divock-origi-in-january-claims-journalist/) manager Jurgen Klopp had on his early career in Germany.

The pair were [brought together](https://www.goal.com/en/news/15/german-football/2010/05/20/1933742/lech-poznan-striker-robert-lewandowski-set-to-join-borussia) 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](https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/robert-lewandowski-bayern-munich-soccer), Lewandowski revealed what the [charismatic German](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/24/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-champions-league-final-real-madrid) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/robert-lewandowski/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/38253/saison/2010/wettbewerb/L1/verein/16), the lethal striker hasn’t looked back since, scoring at least [17 in each of the subsequent](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/robert-lewandowski/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/38253) 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.”

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Fortunately for the Reds, the reunions between the two since Klopp arrived at Anfield have [ended favourably for Liverpool](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/robert-lewandowski/bilanzdetails/spieler/38253/gegner/31) – perhaps Lewandowski [can’t bring himself to score](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/robert-lewandowski/bilanzdetails/spieler/38253/gegner/31) against someone he clearly admires immensely.

Despite his advancing years, the [116-cap Pole](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/robert-lewandowski/nationalmannschaft/spieler/38253/verein_id/3442) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/robert-lewandowski/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/38253) with open arms.