Jurgen Klopp is redefining leadership

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is redefining what it means to be a leader during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Reds boss has continually got things right over the course of the pandemic. First, he refused to comment on speculation about the virus when it was first beginning to threaten the western world and the Premier League season.

Next, he reprimanded journalists who flew from Spain to take in the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid as well as shouting at fans to stop dangling their hands over the stadium hoardings in the hope of getting a high-five from anyone walking down the tunnel.

He also called football ‘just a game.’

Even before England was thrust into the grips of this awful pandemic, Jurgen Klopp was showing more leadership nous and ability than most of the politicians around the world.

And now, the manager has released a video on Twitter describing how he cried when he heard NHS workers singing You’ll Never Walk Alone and called for the whole country to show discipline, to help and love each other and to join together as one in the fight against COVID-19.

He’s sent more messages of hope, love and optimism than most of the world leaders combined. You have Donald Trump stoking racism in America, Boris Johnson denying the problem and then responding slowly.

We’ve seen social media personalities defying guidlines for clout. Hoarding. All the associated madness that stems from panic.

But Klopp set his stall out early and continues to speak kindly, and from a position of some authority – even if he is just a football manager.

He’s making Liverpool fans proud to be Liverpool fans, in a world where club ownership and power figures don’t always do their communities right.

And above all, he is redefining leadership at a time when we all need it most.