Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp's Advice for Coach Brian Callahan and Titans: Stay Together

During his first press conference in January, Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan quoted Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. On Sunday, during NBC's coverage of English soccer, a taped segment had Klopp sharing his reactions, with Callahan watching back in Tennessee.

Jul 22, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp watches game action against Borussia / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE — First-year Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan was reminded that you never know who might be listening when you speak and how your words may impact others.

During his introductory press conference in January after becoming coach of the Titans, Callahan quoted Jurgen Klopp, the legendary Liverpool manager who has won Premiership and Champions League titles: "When you agree on a common idea and work toward it together, you can create something special."

Klopp responded with some advice and praise for Callahan in a segment that aired on Sunday during halftime of NBC's coverage of Manchester United-Liverpool. (The match ended in a 2-2 draw.)

Do you have any advice for Callahan as a new head coach? Klopp was asked.

"It's a drain," said the Liverpool manager who is stepping down as manager after this season.

"He's right about that," laughed Callahan, who appears in the piece watching Klopp's comments on a laptop.

"The next world-class coaches in American football are already out there, so he might be one of them," Klopp said. "Why not? He's seems to be a nice guy, which is I think is a really important part of it as well because you lead a team of people; and if they hate you every day, that can work in the short term, but it doesn't work in the long term. Being a good person is quite helpful as well."

"It's all about results. Immediate results," Klopp continued. "One year, you're the best manager in the world, and the next year everybody thinks somebody sucked your football brain off, and it's like, 'Oh, he's not that good anymore.' The more together you are with the group of players, the staff, and the supporters, the more likely you'll get through these periods without any scars."

"Well said," Callahan responded.

On @Titans' Head Coach Brian Callahan's first day on the job, he quoted @LFCUSA's Jürgen Klopp.

Now, Klopp had a few more pieces of wisdom to share with him before his first season gets started 🤝 pic.twitter.com/xiGpUfwgg3

— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) April 7, 2024

Klopp, acknowledging his upcoming career break, which will leave him with some free time on his hands and the possibility of following the fortunes of the Titans and Callahan.

"Be yourself, work extremely hard, be ready for knocks and don't lose confidence," Klopp said. "But now I will follow his way. Now I will have time in the summer so maybe I will watch an American football game as well."

Callahan smiled throughout the video and expressed gratitude for Klopp for showing love.

"That's awesome. That's a really cool thing to hear him kind of echo all the things that I took from him just reading a book about him and reading some articles and watching some interviews. That's pretty cool, man. He's a legend. Pretty remarkable to be honest."

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