Ask Liverpool fans who their dream dinner party guest is and you would likely get a variety of answers.
From Kenny Daglish to Steven Gerrard and so many in between, Reds supporters have a plethora of heroes and legends to pick from.
For many, the ultimate would be legendary former manager Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp won the hearts of every single Liverpool supporter during nine wonderful years in charge at Anfield.
His personality and charisma along with his history of success made Jurgen the ideal candidate to be named Liverpool manager in 2015 and the German didn’t disappoint.
After his departure in 2024, Klopp is still roundly missed on Merseyside. Some have been lucky enough to meet the big man during his recently ended sabbatical, though, and for those who do – such as comedian Russell Howard – it is a truly memorable experience.
Russell Howard reveals Jurgen Klopp meeting
Despite being from Bath, Howard has been a Liverpool fan since he was a child.
“I’ve got a season ticket and love my seat,” he told FourFourTwo in 2019. “I sit there and You’ll Never Walk Alone will be playing. I sing along and get to be part of something – it feels religious and spiritual. I have complete love for Liverpool.”
So, as he told the Happy Hour Podcast recently, when he saw Klopp walking past his window in Sydney last December, he simply couldn’t miss the opportunity for a chat.
“I met Jurgen Klopp and he was amazing,” Howard gushed. “I was in Sydney, I was in Bondi at an Airbnb with my wife and son in December and we were just looking out at the road and this guy walked past and I recognised the walk, and it was Klopp.”
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“I ran out and said hello and he knew who I was, which blew my mind, and we had this 10-minute chat and it was incredible.”
“He was brilliant,” added the 44-year-old. “It wasn’t a surprise but it’s that lovely thing where in a country I love I met a man who has given me so many joyous moments, and he knew who I was and we had a hug, it was beautiful. He’s such a wonderful guy.
“I ran out with no shoes on, I really sprinted out after him and his wife offered her flip flops to me because the floor was really hot. It was amazing.”
What is Klopp up to now?
When Howard met Klopp the former boss was still enjoying his time away from the game.
However, Jurgen has since started working again, taking on the role of Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull.
While it remains to be seen exactly what this means the former Reds manager is doing day-to-day, he has certainly been getting around.
Earlier this week Brazilian side Red Bull Bragantino shared a photo of Klopp visiting their facility, while Sao Paulo giants Palmeiras also presented the 57-year-old with a shirt.
As he continues to jet around the world, the chances of bumping into Jurgen at random are considerably higher than they were previously. Russell Howard found that out and he won’t be forgetting it any time soon.
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