:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47349690/GettyImages-109454724.0.jpg)
Franz Beckenbauer. Der Kaiser. The godfather of modern German football and a man who in his playing days single-handedly defined the role of sweeper. When the German press seek his opinion on a footballing matter, you know it's being taken seriously.
And so today, he was asked to give his take on what has quickly become the biggest story of the international break—at least in Germany and England. Namely, the seeming inevitability that Jurgen Klopp will be named Liverpool's next manager within a matter of days, perhaps even by Wednesday.
"He is fantastic," was Beckenbauer's take on Klopp. "He is one of the best coaches I know in the whole world, and he was really a milestone for Borussia Dortmund. He took over the club and made them into a world-class team. If Liverpool has the chance to sign Jurgen Klopp then they should do it."
"He likes to talk [to the players]. There are not many coaches left in the world that like to talk so much to the players but he is one of them, [and] he is also a winner. Liverpool is also one of the biggest clubs in the world, so Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp is definitely a good combination."
Klopp reportedly spent much of the day talking with Liverpool and Fenway Sports Group upper management, agreeing to work with the existing transfer committee so long as he gets final sign-off on players. With that stumbling block out of the way, there is little standing in the way of his move being made official.
Some reports have suggested a press conference could be held on Wednesday, though more conservative speculation has Klopp signing on as Liverpool's next manager and being presented by the end of the week. Either way, it seems Liverpool have delivered on their promise of a decisive and timely hire.
