Eyes on young talent: Jurgen Klopp’s first management job was with an under-10s team, and he still values youth development today

Four-hundred Deutsche Marks and a winter jacket. On comes that full-beam headlights grin. Jurgen Klopp is remembering his start in coaching. The misconception is he began at Mainz. No, his first job was years before that and in Frankfurt — in charge of Eintracht’s under-10 team.

“I loved it,” says Klopp, smiling the fondest smile. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to do something like coaching but I needed the money. Ha! Ha! Ha! I got 400 marks and a winter jacket. Ha! Ha! And a season ticket.”

Life was not easy. “[Sessions] three times a week. I studied at university. I played third division football for another club in Frankfurt. I had to get through the rush hour [to his own training, after coaching the