Jurgen Klopp was joined by an old friend and colleague as he took charge of his first game since leaving Liverpool in the summer.
The 57-year-old German manager made a welcomed return to the Signal Iduna Park sidelines on Saturday for the farewell match honoring Borussia Dortmund legends Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski.
Reflecting on his eagerly awaited comeback, a moved Klopp stated: “It feels like a lifelong dream has come true. I really wanted this moment again. Just a few months ago, I had a heartfelt farewell in Liverpool, and today was equally emotional.”
He continued: “Some might think that my feelings change from one day to the next, but I view it this way: if you have three children, you love each one equally. It’s the same with my three clubs. I love them all.”
Ahead of Saturday’s game in Germany, Klopp took a laid-back approach to training, and after Dortmund shared footage of the session, several Liverpool fans recognized a familiar face.
Peter Krawietz, Klopp’s trusted assistant at Liverpool, was spotted at the training ground.
Krawietz has worked with Klopp longer than anyone else. When Klopp was playing for FSV Mainz 05 in the late ’90s, Krawietz helped him as a video analyst.
When Klopp became Mainz’s manager in 2001, he appointed Krawietz as his chief scout.
It was no surprise when Klopp brought Krawietz along when he took over Borussia Dortmund seven years later.
In 2015, the duo reunited at Liverpool, where Krawietz used video analysis to address the team’s early-season struggles and helped them achieve success.
Discussing Krawietz’s significance in December, Klopp remarked: “I continue to be astonished by what he notices during a game. His talent is remarkable and invaluable to us.
“Watching him grow and evolve into the coach he is now has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences for me.
“He’s always been crucial to me, but his personal development since joining Liverpool has been exceptional. He’s incredibly intelligent, insightful, and vital to our success.”
