Jurgen Said to Me: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool and the Remaking of a City

by Dan Morgan

Jürgen Said to Me is a human-interest story centred around Liverpool FC's most successful and charismatic leader of recent times. It charts Jürgen Klopp's impact on Liverpool through the voice of the author and those at the heart of his revival.

In October 2015, Klopp took the helm at Liverpool at a time when the famous club were entering a third decade of league-title drought. The German coach had prospered with his brand of 'heavy-metal football', but little was known about his personality beyond an obvious energy and charisma. He entered a city steeped in personality, history and trauma - a place where the people demand more than a mere coach to lead their clubs.

Klopp's social influence has stretched to matters such as diversity, the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic and local history. The book explores the human impact of a man who single-handedly harnessed togetherness and the global unity of millions, while reshaping one of the most famous cities in the world.

Genres: Football, Sports

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2024

Reviews

[Heather Dearie]

Jürgen Klopp to me is what Shankly must have been to Liverpool fans of that generation and the memories he gave the fans will be treasured forever but more importantly the affection he had for the city and the people was lovely to see. We deserved to have won more trophies in Klopp’s tenure but what an exciting few years it was regardless.

[Elias Marseille]

Geen nieuwe informatie, geen samenhang. De enige reden dat ik drie sterren geef is omdat ik Klopp zo interessant vindt. Daar heeft de schrijver helaas weinig mee gedaan.

[Yasmin Purshouse]

A dream read for Klopp fans, highlighting the highs and lows of the Klopp era and how he reignited hope in Liverpool off and on the pitch.

[John Houghton]

Not really a book. Just a string of vague and unoriginal points, long quotes, match facts, and accidental Partridge observations about matters such as the ownership status of radio stations in Liverpool.

Thrown together with all the craft and care of an underpaid housemaid pegging wet socks onto a washing line.

By the end, you will learn that Jurgen Klopp is a good guy and an excellent manager, and that Liverpool is a unique city.

[Tippy]

This book read more like a series of essays than a cohesive narrative. And like many anthologies, it's very hit or miss. Some chapters were interesting, informative or inspiring. Some needed serious editing and seemed only tangentially related to the rest. The essays are not in chronological order, or organized in any reasonable way. It does make me really miss Klopp :'-( A lot of his quotes brought me back.

Also, if you leave the book you're reading on your coffee table or desk, prepare to have Jurgen Klopp's song stuck in your head all day :D

As a side note, I'm currently chillin' in Liverpool for a few months and this book talks about a lot of interesting local things I plan to check out, such as Homebaked or Club 051. It's fun to read while I'm out here and know what they're referring to as well. Good times.

[Danny]

An analysis of the impact of Jurgen Klopp not just on Liverpool FC but on the city itself. Politics and sport intertwined, it’s a well-written and observant view on the Klopp and Liverpool love story. Was interesting reading about the parallels between the character and values Liverpool city prides itself on and how well that aligned with Klopp. I liked the notes on Man United and how footballing success often seems to coincide with a musical boom in the city. Smart analysis on football finance and governance in here too.

[Anna Bogdan]

Dan Morgan perfectly encapsulates the aura of Klopp: his charisma, his exuberance, his joie de vivre. Dan was able to weave Liverpool's character and history with the arrival and influence of Klopp throughout the last 9 years into an absorbing and engrossing read. An absolutely heart-warming and nostalgic read that encourages us to remember the good times but to embrace and look forward to what the future holds.

[Murray]

Loved it! Having lived this book and attended a lot of its highlights I loved the memory checks. As a regular visitor and an OOT supporter it also provided a lot of insight and underpinned my understanding of Liverpool as a place. Would love to know what non LFC supporters would make of these insights. Nice one Dan Morgan.

[Philip Ashton]

Exceptional book that views the Klopp years through the effect on the city.

Having left Liverpool well over a decade ago, Dan awoke a sense of dormant nostalgia for the city that I haven't felt for many years. He's been able to capture a particular time that we'll all look back onm fondly.

I'm very much so looking forward to his next book!

[Brian Anderson]

So im biased as a devoted Kloop fan, so a book that was slightly different to the cover suggestion didn’t bother/ less of Klopp influence on the city and more of a philosophy of the man. That what he left was more as values like humility, honesty and integrity to whatever you do and if that influenced others, well and good

Loved it

[Lev Macht-Greenberg]

A little history, a little nostalgia, a lot of Klopp

5 for Liverpool supporters, 3 as a book overall