Thomas Tuchel full of praise for Jurgen Klopp ahead of Liverpool vs Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel praises Jurgen Klopp ahead of Liverpool vs Chelsea

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has come out in praise for his compatriot and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (h/t Independent).

Tuchel will be squaring up against Klopp for the first time since taking over at Chelsea on Thursday as his side face Liverpool. The two German managers have a unique history where Tuchel took over from Klopp on two occasions at FSV Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.

While Klopp joined Liverpool after his Bundesliga stint, Tuchel went to PSG and now finds himself in the Premier League. The Blues boss talked about the admiration he has for Klopp.

MAINZ, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 24: Head coaches Thomas Tuchel of Mainz and Juergen Klopp of Dortmund wait for an interview before the Bundesliga match between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund at Coface Arena on September 24, 2011 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

“You enter into a competition not only with the best clubs but the best coaches in the world, one of them is Jurgen clearly, he’s proven that at many clubs. It brings me out of bed early, because it’s the challenge to play against him and his teams. What Jurgen proved is outstanding, he transformed any club into a unit where he worked.”

Tuchel talked about how much of an impact Klopp had at the three clubs he has managed so far and still remained a big part of the ones he left. He even did that in one of the toughest leagues, i.e. the Premier League and found immense success winning the Premier League and Champions League in consecutive years.

Dortmund’s coach Juergen Klopp (R) and Mainz’ coach Thomas Tuchel are seen during a TV interview prior to the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund at the Bruchwegstadium in Mainz, southwestern Germany, on October 31, 2010. (Photo by DANIEL ROLAND/AFP via Getty Images)

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The former PSG manager was impressed by the work Klopp has done at Liverpool. He claimed that he and his side are a tough unit which would be a real challenge for the Blues to break down.

It will be another huge test of Tuchel’s credentials. But given Liverpool haven’t won at home in the last 4 games, it is likely that he can outsmart his compatriot in this vital clash.