London (AFP)
Jürgen Klopp was elected coach of the year on Monday by the association of coaches of the English league, after allowing Liverpool, after 30 years of waiting, to become English football champion again.
This distinction from the German was heralded by Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, who gave the trophy his name.
“Jurgen, fantastic,” Ferguson said on Sky Sports. "There is a lot of talk about Leeds who have just spent 16 years in the Championship (English D2, editor's note), but Liverpool, who had to wait 30 years, it's incredible," he added.
"You really deserve it. Your team's level of performance was remarkable. Your personality inspires your club in all its components. It was a wonderful performance. And I forgive you for waking me up at 3.30 in the morning to tell me that you won the championship, ”Sir Alex also said.
"I know it's not 100% appropriate to say that, as a Liverpool manager, but I admire him ... and I remember he was the first British manager I met." , said the former technician of Borussia Dortmund.
“We had breakfast together. I don't know if he remembers it, but I did, because it was like meeting the Pope. It was great and we've always gotten along well since. I never thought, at that point, that I would one day have a trophy with his name in my hands, ”Klopp added.
Chris Wilder, winner of this trophy last year, had to settle for second place, behind Klopp, with the satisfaction of having handled Sheffield United's return to the Premier League very well.
Argentina's Marcelo Bielsa, who brought Leeds back to the Premier League after a 16-year absence at the top, has been voted the Championship's best manager, bottom tier.
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