RB Leipzig: Klopp Praises Götze’s Special Moment
- LEIPZIG, Germany – RB Leipzig is hosting the inaugural "Wings Cup," a youth football tournament drawing teams from around the globe to its training grounds this week.
- Klopp, 57, joined Marcel Schäfer, 40, sporting director for RB Leipzig; David Wagner, 53, former Norwich City coach; and RB Leipzig player Yussuf poulsen, 30, to discuss the...
- When asked about identifying potential in young players, Klopp said, "First, is the player special?
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LEIPZIG, Germany – RB Leipzig is hosting the inaugural “Wings Cup,” a youth football tournament drawing teams from around the globe to its training grounds this week. A highlight of the event was a Wednesday evening panel discussion featuring former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp.
Klopp, 57, joined Marcel Schäfer, 40, sporting director for RB Leipzig; David Wagner, 53, former Norwich City coach; and RB Leipzig player Yussuf poulsen, 30, to discuss the growth of young football talent. Klopp, in good spirits, shared anecdotes from his 23 years in coaching.
Klopp’s Eye for Talent
When asked about identifying potential in young players, Klopp said, “First, is the player special? And second, how do they play football?” He recalled his first impression of Mario Götze: “When I saw Mario Götze for the first time, I was really nervous. He was 16 years old, I watched a youth game and inquired about him afterward.”
Klopp continued, “I was told that he was not yet eligible to play at that age. I said: ‘Okay, then let’s wait until he is allowed to play.'” Götze, who would later score the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final, made his Bundesliga debut for Borussia Dortmund under Klopp in the 2009-10 season at the age of 17 years, 5 months and 18 days.
Defense: A Cornerstone of Success
Addressing the young players in the audience, Klopp emphasized the importance of defensive skills. “You have to learn to defend in your career,” he stated. “There is onyl one player on the planet who doesn’t have to defend – and that is lionel messi.”
“When you have the ball, try everything to set your teammates up,” Klopp advised. “If not, run back, close gaps. It is important to defend; it is the foundation for every career.” He added that defensive work doesn’t necessarily detract from the joy of playing but makes one a more complete player.
Evolution of Football Training
Klopp also touched on the evolution of football and how improved athletic training has advanced the sport. “We know more today than we did 40 years ago when I was a young player,” he said. “For the athletic training of that time, you would go to prison today.When I was young, we where given salt tablets and not allowed to drink; it was 40 degrees outside, we were dehydrated, we were supposed to exhaust ourselves.”
Klopp is expected to attend all three days of the Wings Cup tournament and observed a training session of the RB Leipzig professional team on Wednesday afternoon. He is scheduled to present the winner’s trophy on Thursday afternoon before departing on Friday morning.
What is the Wings Cup?
The Wings Cup is a youth football tournament hosted by RB leipzig in leipzig, Germany. It brings together teams from around the globe for a week of competition.
Who was Jürgen Klopp at the Wings Cup?
Former Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp, was a special guest at the Wings Cup. He participated in a panel discussion discussing the growth of young football talent.
Klopp’s Insights on Identifying Young Talent
Klopp emphasized two key questions when assessing young players:
- “Is the player special?”
- “How do thay play football?”
He used the example of Mario Götze, recalling that he was “really nervous” when he first saw him play at age 16. Klopp then waited until Götze was eligible to play professionally. Götze later scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final.
Why is Defense Important According to Klopp?
Klopp stressed the significance of defensive skills for young players,stating,”You have to learn to defend in your career.” He humorously noted that Lionel messi is the only player who doesn’t need to defend. Klopp believes defense is the “foundation for every career” and makes players more complete.
How has Football Training Evolved?
Klopp discussed the evolution of football training over the years, specifically highlighting improvements in athletic training. He contrasted modern practices with those of his youth, saying that the training methods used in his playing days would be considered unacceptable today.
Here’s a concise comparison:
Klopp’s Wings Cup Schedule
Klopp’s schedule included attending all three days of the Wings Cup, observing an RB Leipzig training session, and presenting the winner’s trophy. He departed on Friday morning.