Ex-Liverpool Star Turned Manager: His Departure Due to Jurgen Klopp’s Impact

In 2012, Liverpool was under the management of Brendan Rodgers, who made an impactful signing by bringing Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin on loan from Real Madrid.

Sahin’s initial 12 appearances for Liverpool showed immense promise, with three goals and three assists, setting the stage for a successful tenure at Anfield. However, Liverpool fans’ excitement was short-lived as Jurgen Klopp, then in charge of Borussia Dortmund, swooped in to bring Sahin back to the club he had left to join Madrid in the first place.

Fast forward to 2018, and Sahin explained his decision to part ways with Anfield. Speaking to The Express, he said, “At Liverpool, I started the season very well, but I just couldn’t resist the prospect of working with Jurgen Klopp again, so I decided to leave.” Sahin further explained, “If Dortmund didn’t make an offer for me, then I would have stayed at Liverpool for many more years, but the idea of competing in the Champions League was very tempting.”

Following his time with Dortmund, Sahin’s career path led him to Werder Bremen before returning to Turkey to play for Antalyaspor.

In 2021, Nuri Sahin made the transition from player to manager, taking the helm at Antalyaspor. In an interview with Tribal Football, Sahin shared his motivation for venturing into management: “I had a 17-year-long playing career. I started to play professionally when I was just 16. I lived every moment, good or bad, in a very intense way.” He continued, “Then, the offer from Antalyaspor came. I’m waking up every morning and living my dream. I don’t even have time to miss playing football.”

Reflecting on his coaching journey, Sahin added, “I had great coaches, to be honest. I think I worked with some of the best in the world. I wish I also worked with Guardiola, but it never happened.” He went on to mention the notable mentors in his career, stating, “I worked under Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, Fatih Terim, and Thomas Tuchel. But my longest period was with Klopp. He and Bert van Marwijk are very, very special to me. Bert promoted me to the Dortmund first team when I was just 16.”