Former Liverpool player John Barnes makes an incredibly controversial statement on current Reds manager Jurgen Klopp this week.
Barnsey has suggested Jurgen Klopp would have been sacked as Liverpool manager within his first two years in charge if he had been black.
The good times are back at Anfield, all thanks to Klopp guiding them to glory in both the Champions League and Premier League, with last year’s top-flight triumph a first for 30 years.
John Barnes:
How successful was Klopp really in the first 2 years in terms of being 25 points off the top? But we believed that he was the right man. Under different circumstances, he would have lost his job. If he was black, he would have lost his job in those first 2 years.” pic.twitter.com/8oUkymLByy
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) November 13, 2020
But there was no immediate success for the German who finished 8th in his first season in charge after replacing from Brendan Rodgers back in October 2015.
They did, however, reach both the Europa League and EFL Cup final, though, a fourth-place finish in the following campaign to secure a return to Europe’s top table.
But Barnes, who starred at Anfield between 1987 and 1997, says Klopp would have lost his job ‘under different circumstances’.
Speaking about discrimination in football following Greg Clarke’s resignation as FA Chairman, Barnes told PlayOJO: “You can put structures in place, but until you change your perception, nothing will change.
“I use Klopp as an example. How successful was he really in the first two years in terms of being 25 points off the top? But we [ Liverpool ] believed that he was the right man.
“Under different circumstances, he would have lost his job. If he was black, he would have lost his job in those first two years.”
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Barnes also suggested English managers have it tougher than their foreign counterparts, with Frank Lampard the only Englishman currently in charge of one of the so-called ‘Big Six’.
“If he [Klopp] was English, he would have lost his job,” added the 57-year-old former England international.
“This is where the idea of discrimination is a little bit strange because there’s a group of people who are discriminated against in English football and the very highest level in the Premier League.
“Now, the top six teams will not have a white English manager.
“Yes, you can say Frank Lampard, as people have pointed out, but that’s because he has a special bond with Chelsea and that’s the only reason he managed Chelsea – but under different circumstances he wouldn’t have got that job.”
Various media outlets have contacted Liverpool for a comment, so this could rumble on for a while yet.
Fans reacted as John Barnes makes an incredibly controversial statement on Jurgen Klopp…
Would have to say I don’t agree with this example.
Klopp took a shambolic LFC side to two finals in his first 6 months and then qualified for the CL after his first full season with the club.
There was ups and downs but most could see what he was trying to achieve.
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) November 13, 2020
How successful was Sol Campbell in the first 2 years in terms of being 3 points off relegation? But they believed he was the right man, under different circumstances, he still would have lost his job, if he was white, he still would have lost his job after those 2 years
— ShakhtarSenselessFPL (@FplSenseless) November 13, 2020
Ludicrous statement this, our football had changed, there was belief. We knew he was the right man on his past success with Dortmund. Nothing to do with the colour of his skin.
— John Cawley (@john_cawley) November 13, 2020
John Barnes often gets it spot on when it comes to discussing racism in sport but to suggest Jurgen Klopp, an already world class manager who won trophies long before he came to England wouldn’t have got the Liverpool job ‘if he was black’ is just absolute nonsense
— Cathal OL ???* (@IrishRED05) November 13, 2020
John Barnes says so many intelligent, thoughtful things, this isn’t one of those times. ??♀️
— Lola Podengo (@LPodengo) November 13, 2020
Had to unfollow John Barnes. Giving me a headache reading his tweets.
— MattISpurs (@ParkLaneBlock40) November 13, 2020
Just seen what John Barnes has said about ‘if Klopp was black.’ I see his point but the analogy is all wrong and somehow implies that our owners are racist
— Spen (@unrealxherdan) November 13, 2020
What the actual fuck is John Barnes on?
— Thiago 6 (@Papiikennyy7) November 13, 2020
No he wouldn’t.
1st half season – 2 cup finals
1st full season – 4th
2nd full season – 4th and UCL Final— Paul M (@paul_m_14) November 13, 2020
So if there was a black manager who was regarded as one of the best in the world…
He’d get a job anywhere, the colour of your skin has nowt to do with it.
If your good at something, you get the job and climb the ladder— Boz (@THESONOFTERRY) November 13, 2020
If anti racist group meant what they say they’d condemn this comment from JB. It’s abusing the race movement. Klopp in season 1 got to 2 finals and top 4. Hardly a bad time for a team in the pit when he took over. Plus Roy H last time I looked is WHITE and was sacked in 1 yr.
— Mike Cole (@mikecole111) November 13, 2020
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