Conduct a survey in the wider football community about who they think the best coaches in the world are and Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp will always rank highly.
Some would put the Reds boss at the top of the pile, with his side currently the reigning European and World Champions, as well as being well clear at the top of the Premier League.
The German certainly has his admirers, having continued to impress at Anfield following his successful reign in charge of Borussia Dortmund.
One fan is Christian Heidel, the man who turned Klopp from a player into a coach when he was in charge of Mainz.
“I think if you talk about who the best coaches have been in the last 100 years – maybe he isn’t at the top, but he is definitely among the top three,” he told NTV.
“That’s why he will now be the English champion with a 20-point lead, has won the Champions League and is the world level coach.”
This season has been Klopp’s best so far, at least in terms of performances, with his side relentlessly hunting their first league title in 30 years.
No side in the Premier League has come close to matching them, with Watford the only side to beat them so far this season.
As a result, they currently sit 25 points clear at the top of the table, something Heidel says is “completely crazy” although he isn’t surprise as “the interesting thing is that Liverpool is a typical Klopp club.”
Klopp’s desire to turn Liverpool into a dominant force has undoubtedly been aided by the club’s 100% backing from the get-go.
Since arriving on Merseyside, the German has completely overhauled the squad, with the Reds setting the transfer record for a goalkeeper and a defender during his time in charge.
And Heidel admits that it has been a “fortunate circumstance” that “there was something in the coffers” for him to spend in that regard.
It would be remiss to suggest that has been the reason for Liverpool’s success though, with Klopp’s ability to develop players such as Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, among others, undeniable.
Those players are now considered stars around Europe and according to Heidel, Klopp “has been able to develop an almost perfect team for a Klopp system” adding that he is “simply an outstanding coach with the ability to get the right players.”