'Would have liked': Zlatan Ibrahimovic wanted to be coached by iconic Liverpool manager but never had the chance

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of football’s greatest characters, but has since hung up his boots.The Swedish star was a stalwart in the world of European football from the start of his playing days at Malmo to his last years playing for AC Milan.Ibrahimovic decided to announce his retirement from football at the end of the 2023 season with Milan and has now begun a job as a representative for the club through their RedBird Group ownership.In a total of 637 appearances, the star scored 405 goals across England, Italy, France, and Spain, but was also best known for his antics off the field.The 44-year-old’s charisma and brimming self-confidence were what made him such an interesting character to follow.While he had a fruitful career, upon reflecting on it, he named two managers who he never had the opportunity to be coached by, including a Liverpool legend.Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesZlatan Ibrahimovic wanted to be coached by Jurgen KloppIbrahimovic had been managed by some of the greats of the sport, including Fabio Capello and Carlo Ancelotti, who shaped his career as a centre forward.In his recent remarks to the European Club Association General Assembly in Rome, the former star spoke fondly of his career but said that Jurgen Klopp was one of two managers who he never had the pleasure to be coached by.READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp made a £17m transfer mistake in 2022 which is haunting Arne Slot’s LiverpoolFrom quotes from Goal, he said: “I had Capello, Mourinho, Guardiola, Ancelotti: these four are football and they changed it.“I would have liked to be coached by Klopp and Ferguson.”The Liverpool manager who spent nine incredible years on Merseyside was a character himself and is named by many former stars as a popular choice for a manager they were never coached by.During those years, he faced Ibrahimovic during his years at Manchester United, which did not breed as much success as he may have hoped.But the Swedish player’s remarks show an immense respect for the manager and show how important he is that his name appears alongside Sir Alex Ferguson.Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Jurgen Klopp would not have worked at LiverpoolDespite his age, Zlatan still had an incredible ability to finish chances when he lined up for United, but the idea that Ibrahimovic and Klopp at Anfield at the same time is a mad thought.The system may have suited him at times; however, on a basic level, their personalities would have definitely clashed.While they would have created some iconic moments together, it would have been alongside some spats or arguments.It is a funny thought for fans of the Reds, but in reality, it would have been a headache for the club.