Jurgen Klopp sends fresh message to new head coach after Arne Slot’s Liverpool appointment

Jurgen Klopp has tipped new Borussia Dortmund manager Nuri Sahin to be a "super" coach.

Sahin, who donned the Dortmund colours from 2005-2011 and again from 2013-2018, while also having a brief spell with the Reds in 2012, has been unveiled as the Bundesliga club's latest head coach. The appointment has been met with enthusiasm by former BVB chief Klopp, who is convinced that the 35-year-old will excel in his new role at the helm of the renowned German side.

"At 35, Nuri is a very young coach, but so was I," Klopp said, as reported by Bild. "I definitely believe that after his outstanding career as a player, he will also become a super coach. Of course, I wish him the greatest success at BVB."

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Sahin, whose career also included spells at Real Madrid steps into the shoes left by Edin Terzic following a season that saw Dortmund clinch fifth place in the Bundesliga and make it to the Champions League final, where they were narrowly defeated by Real Madrid at Wembley. Klopp's confidence in the former Turkish international's managerial prospects is bolstered by the strong bond the duo shared during their stint together at Dortmund.

With 274 matches under his belt for Dortmund as a player, Sahin rejoined the club in January as an assistant coach. Yet, it was under Klopp's stewardship that Sahin truly shone, securing the Bundesliga title in the 2010/2011 season and being named the Bundesliga player of the season thereafter.

After his successful stint at Dortmund, Sahin left to join Real Madrid in the summer, and Klopp assured him he had a "friend for life". Klopp later brought Sahin back to Dortmund when his time in Madrid didn't pan out.

Sahin holds Klopp in high regard, as he expressed in a May 2021 interview with Goal. He lauded Klopp not just for his coaching prowess but for his personal touch.

"There is no doubt about his coaching - he is very good," Sahin remarked. "But what I love most about him is that he's human. He touches you on a human level... This is what I loved about him and what I learned about him."

Post-retirement from playing, Sahin ventured into management with Turkish club Antalyaspor in 2021, leading them on an impressive unbeaten run to secure their place in the top division, finishing seventh. His achievements in Turkey led to a role as Terzic's assistant at Dortmund, and following Terzic's departure, Sahin has stepped up as head coach.

With a new season on the horizon, both Dortmund and Liverpool fans are keen to see what unfolds, especially after Arne Slot took over at Anfield in June. Klopp has commented on Liverpool's prospects post his exit, reassuring fans by stating: "The club is in good hands. People might worry about the future but I'm not."

Slot's first test in the Premier League was confirmed on Wednesday morning. Newly promoted Ipswich Town await Liverpool at Portman Road on Saturday, August 17 (12.30pm kick-off).