Clattenburg labelled Jurgen Klopp as a strange bloke after a failed attempt to intermediate him.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has labelled Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as a strange bloke after attempt to intimidate him failed.
In an extract of his autobiography Whistle blower, he opened up on a fussy relationship with the German.
He stated that he came across the manager for the first time in April 2014. His Borussia Dortmund side lost 3-0 at Real Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final first leg.
He added that the German picked on him after the wife of real Madrid defender asked for a picture.
“Klopp walked past just as the photo was being taken. ‘Oh, so that’s why we got beat, is it?’ he said. He was not being humorous or friendly, he was being sarky.
“You’re lucky you only got beat 3-0,’ I said. The fact we were in Madrid probably gave me a bit of bravado to answer back.
“It annoyed me when managers could not be gracious in defeat.”
Clattenburg further stated that he met with him again when he came to England and the game was between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield.
“My final game with Klopp was in January 2017 against Chelsea at Anfield. Managers rarely came into my dressing room for the exchange of team-sheets an hour before kick-off.
“On this occasion, Klopp came in with Jordan Henderson. It was bizarre, he stood and stared at me for about 30 seconds. I just stared back at him. I could see Jordan was a bit like, ‘What the hell’s going on?’
“Did Klopp think I was stupid?
“I was not going to be bullied by him. He left and all I thought was: ‘What a strange bloke.”
