Shinji Kagawa had totally different experiences working with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.<\/p>\n
The former Manchester United midfielder says working with Jurgen Klopp was some kind of ‘destiny’ – having won two Bundesliga titles under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund – claims the differences between the German and former United doyen Sir Alex Ferguson were ‘stature’ and the demands placed on experienced players.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old, currently representing PAOK in Greece, told Laureus Sports:<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are so many memories with Jurgen Klopp that it\u2019s hard to pick just one. But if I were to describe him, he is a manager that has true love for his players.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s always thinking about his players, supporting them in important \u00admoments when they\u2019re on the pitch.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, as a player, I was always able to take to the pitch without any concern. I always felt there was nothing to fear as long as I followed his lead. That\u2019s the type of manager he was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kagawa continued:<\/p>\n
\u201cI look back on my encounter with Klopp as a form of destiny. I hadn\u2019t experienced failure and I was full of confidence and drive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like everything was so easy. Of course, I learned later on in my career that things aren\u2019t so easy and my confidence was broken. Looking back, meeting Klopp and playing for Dortmund was a truly amazing experience for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kagawa and Dortmund hoisted the Bundesliga trophy in consecutive seasons after being brought to Germany from native Cerezo Osaka in a \u00a3275,000 deal by Klopp, and was then subsequently snapped up in a \u00a312m move by United and admitted experiencing several of the famous Ferguson ‘hairdryers’ in his sole season working with the Scot before the latter retired.<\/p>\n
Kagawa added:<\/p>\n
\u201cUnlike Jurgen, Sir Alex was a manager that everyone knew.<\/p>\n
\u201cJurgen was still a young manager and did not have any titles under his belt, so while he was very well known in Germany, he wasn\u2019t known around the world.<\/p>\n
“But everyone knew Sir Alex Ferguson and respected him, so I had no hesitation in taking up the opportunity to play for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Sir Alex shouted at half-time and players like Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes weren\u2019t able to say a word back, I realised he was a man of great stature.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also noticed that he demanded a lot from the more experienced players over the youngsters like myself. This was his style of management.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw for myself that he would turn bright red when he yelled. He would really let it out at every single game. It was allowed because he was Sir Alex.\u201d<\/p>\n
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