Michael Owen praises Jurgen Klopp for not copying Sir Alex Ferguson approach
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Michael Owen has praised Jurgen Klopp for keeping his distance from Anfield since leaving Liverpool in the summer of 2024, contrasting his approach with Sir Alex Ferguson's watchful presence at Old TraffordMichael Owen has offered his opinion(Image: Getty Images)Former Liverpool forward Michael Owen has commended Jurgen Klopp for maintaining his distance from Liverpool since departing in 2024, drawing a contrast with ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's approach.While the legendary United boss has remained a visible presence at Old Trafford, Owen reckons Klopp's decision to largely avoid Anfield after his exit has shown respect for his successor, Arne Slot. The continued presence of a club legend observing their successors is undoubtedly a source of tension for many managers across world soccer.Owen implied that Sir Alex's near-permanent fixture at Old Trafford, since the Scottish legend stepped down from United in 2013, has impacted the succession of managers who've tried to fill his shoes.READ MORE: Anthony Gordon absence to continue amid Liverpool and Bayern transfer linksREAD MORE: Arne Slot tipped to make 'four or five' signings with 'desperate' need for $70M Arsenal aceSlot secured the Premier League trophy in his debut campaign on Merseyside, though this season has proved more challenging, with numerous supporters demanding his departure.Nevertheless, Klopp has observed from a distance, only returning for a legends charity fixture against Borussia Dortmund earlier this month.Owen, who now represents Casino.org, a leading platform helping players find UK casino brands, told Mirror Football: "If you look down the East Lancs [road], then, you know, people have had a go at Sir Alex Ferguson for, for 10, 15 years, and basically, Sir Alex says very, very little.Jurgen Klopp has barely been at Anfield since leaving Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)"He rarely does interviews.
He's never, ever, ever been, you know, disparaging or disrespectful to a Manchester United manager."He basically sits in the stand and watches his old team."Now, Jurgen Klopp doesn't do that. He doesn't come back and sit in the director's box and look down on the manager.
The role that he's in, at Red Bull, he is thrown in front of journalists an awful lot."You know, he is getting asked these questions, and I'm pretty sure that if he didn't have to do the press, he wouldn't be out on X, and writing out statements about the state of Liverpool."I don't think he wants to do that. But obviously, it's probably part of his job to do the press sometimes and people ask him."So, no, I think in the main, Jurgen Klopp has been very respectful towards the Liverpool manager."He was keen to back Slot and he even started the song at Anfield, didn't he?"Though Slot has gained some respite following Liverpool's late victory over Everton on Sunday, the Dutchman remains under scrutiny.