Jonathan Liew writes that Jurgen Klopp has taken on the role of English football’s conscience, previously held by Arsene Wenger.

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Mr. Wenger was raised as a devout Catholic and regularly attended mass. However, during confession, he often struggled to remember his wrongdoings from the week. To cope with this, he began fabricating sins to confess. He explained in a 2020 interview with the BBC’s Desert Island Discs that he never felt completely content because he always held himself to high standards, influenced by the guilt-inducing nature of the Catholic religion.

For Wenger, both as a man and a coach, his relentless pursuit of unattainable perfection would ultimately define his life. It is important to remember that the word “passion” originates from the Latin word “patior,” meaning “suffering.” His passion for football was akin to a Christian passion, filled with the pain of past injuries and sacrifices in the present (such as sacrificing mortal life/time and effort/the opportunity to sign Eden Hazard) in order to achieve greater glory in the future (eternal sanctity in the arms of God/fourth place in the Premier League/long-term financial stability and timely repayment of stadium debt). Each defeat left a lasting scar on his heart, while every victory only temporarily relieved the guilt for another week.

Jürgen Klopp has always had a unique perspective on Christianity. He has described his relationship with the religion as more relaxed, stating that being a Protestant allows for a more open-minded approach compared to more rigid beliefs.

As a child, when he acted out, his mother would question what God would think and Jürgen would respond that God was likely occupied. The only way his religious beliefs affected his football was by limiting his ability to play on Sunday mornings, which sparked a lasting dislike for early game times.

Can this be understood by itself? No, definitely not. But when Klopp departs from Liverpool, there is surprise, distress, and great sadness. Fans call into radio talk shows and break down in tears. Wenger leaves Arsenal before he is forced out due to boredom and apathy, and receives a farewell from fans who quietly acknowledge it may be for the best.

“Probably the worst day of my life,” one Liverpool fans sobs on TikTok. “Arsène, thanks for the memories but it’s time to say goodbye,” read the famous banner at the Hawthorns in 2014. As the club Arsène built prepares to host the team that Jürgen built, it’s worth pondering for a moment on why.

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In terms of their legacies, Wenger and Klopp are often compared to each other. Many people agree that they both belong in the top five greatest Premier League managers along with Sir Alex Ferguson, José Mourinho, and Pep Guardiola. We can debate the merits of a Champions League victory versus an undefeated season, the beauty versus effectiveness of their playing styles, and the impact of tactics such as gegenpressing and throw-in coaches versus possession-based football and nutrition. This part of the discussion is usually reserved for casual arguments, but it highlights the significant accomplishments of these two managers.

Moreover, Klopp has also taken on the role of being English football’s disregarded moral compass, similar to how Wenger was seen in the past. While Wenger spoke out against the unfairness of excessive spending and was criticized as a “failure specialist”, Klopp has also spoken out against the negative effects of state investments and a busy schedule, only to be dismissed as bitter. Despite this, they both persisted in working under the shadow of a dominant Manchester team, motivated by their strong principles and belief that how something is done is just as important as achieving success.

So why did Klopp receive praise and adoration while Wenger was pushed and shouted out the door? Timing plays a significant role in this. If Wenger had left in 2005, after nine years as manager of Arsenal, he would likely be remembered even more fondly than he is now. Since stepping down as coach, he has publicly questioned whether he stayed too long and if something fundamental broke in the years following the invincible season. He has expressed, not for the first time, a sense of guilt for the sacrifices he made in his relentless pursuit of being the best manager he could be.

It is possible that when Klopp called Wenger a “football maniac” at the beginning of his time with Liverpool, it was not meant as a compliment. Wenger’s example shows that one must be willing to devote their entire life to football.

Klopp’s lesson is that you don’t always need to maintain intense pressure to succeed. In fact, the constant intensity that led to his success ultimately led to his burnout.

Unlike Wenger, who lived ascetically and never went out 48 hours before a game, Klopp is the only Premier League manager who has ever offered this writer one of his cigarettes during an interview. Glory in the next life; glory in this. Perhaps this explains why Klopp is more loved at the end of his time than Wenger was at the end of his. But it also explains why no elite manager will ever come close to emulating Wenger’s 22 years at a single club.

Despite their similarities as coaches and leaders, the defining factor between these two individuals is their differing perspectives. For Wenger, faith was a journey filled with remorse and hardship. For Klopp, it was a voluntary practice, a means of comprehending and connecting with others. These two men have contrasting beliefs about themselves, the world, and how to effectively contribute to it. Ultimately, they have different ideas about the essence of love.

Source: theguardian.com