Jurgen Klopp unveiled as Liverpool manager: 'I am the normal one'
The Jurgen Klopp era at Liverpool is officially underway as the German boss met with media Friday and promised an exciting brand of football with hopes of generating new memories for the team's faithful supporters.
The German gaffer made numerous proclamations regarding the culture he intends to instill in the famous football club. In many ways, Klopp's introduction was a throwback to the reception another polarizing manager received upon his first day in England.
Related: Jurgen Klopp appointed manager of Liverpool
Members of the media peppered the former Borussia Dortmund boss with various inquiries in search of a soundbite comparable to Jose Mourinho's famous "Special One" description during his first day on the job with Chelsea in 2004.
"I don't want to describe myself," Klopps explained to reporters as he reluctantly avoided comparisons. "I'm a totally normal guy - I'm the 'Normal One.' I am a normal guy from the Black Forest. I was a very average player. I don't compare myself with these genius managers from the past.
"None of these great managers said in his first press conference that their target is that they want to be a legend. This is a great club because of many good decisions in the past; (they had) good players, brilliant players, but now we have to work in the present."
While he wasn't willing to place the "special" tag on himself, Klopp wasn't shy about using the adjective when explaining his reasons for joining the club.
"The intensity of the football, of how the people live football in Liverpool and all Liverpool fans around the world," he said when asked what attracted him to the team.
"It is not a usual club. It is a special club. I had two very, very special clubs with Mainz and Dortmund. It is the perfect next step for me to be here and try and help."
Now that introductions are over, the focus turns to the mission of reviving one of England's most storied teams, an objective Klopp feels is shrouded in pessimism from critics throughout the country.
"I can say it is the biggest honour I can imagine (to manage) one of the biggest clubs in the world and be given this opportunity to try and help in a situation that is not so difficult like all the people in this room feel."