The football world comes full circle for Jurgen Klopp at the start of next month
But having been on the touchline the last time Borussia Dortmund were in a Champions League final at Wembley, this time the departing Liverpool boss will be in the stands.
Rather than plotting the downfall of Dortmund's opponents, Klopp has another issue with which to contend when his former club take on Real Madrid on June 1.
Klopp
"I have got an invitation now for the Champions League final,"
"They said, 'I don't think he will come', but of course I will come, it's the Champions League final and I have nothing to do really!
"But then I need more tickets too. It's the first time in my life I'm asking for tickets - normally it's me who is always being asked! It's a really strange feeling.
“I never did, I never have had to ask for tickets. Now I am asking it really feels strange.
"That's one thing, besides that we didn't plan anything (after he leaves Liverpool).
“At the Euros we will watch games and have tickets for a few games. Being in Germany for a long time, meeting friends, nothing spectacular.
“Just easy-going, not planning a pre-season, I will definitely not do that, and not being involved in any transfer talks, which is such a difference. I'm really looking forward to it."
Klopp is now ready to adjust to a new life without the day-to-day responsibilities demanded of the game
Diego Simeone, the firebrand Atletico Madrid boss, once stated when discussing the weight of responsibility as a manager that he is at his happiest when asleep because nobody can talk to him. for Klopp, such an opinion resonates.
Klopp says
"I hope everybody recognises that I'm a little bit different to him!" he laughs.
"But I recognise what he is saying, absolutely. Meeting me, besides Ulla (his wife) pretty much means talking about football.
“I am for people like Google - 'why do you do that? why do you do that? blah blah blah'.
“Visiting friends come over, watch the game and it's for me work and for them a holiday. Family come over, and it's for me work and for them a holiday.
"I don't have a personal problem with you (journalists) but you deliver the s**t message when I'm not in my best moment. It's just where we clash.
"But it's very often the moment you go asleep (referencing initial question). I listen to a lot of audio books. I love to read but when I read everyone gets to talk to me.
“When I have the headphones on then people realise I'm obviously not listening. It is like that.
“The responsibility for the whole thing, it's probably one of my strongest characteristics to feel responsible for an incredible amount of things. If I know about something in that moment and think for me that it could be in my reach then I'm responsible for it."
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