Jurgen Klopp quips ‘getting this in Manchester is even sweeter’ as Liverpool boss is named Coach of the Year at BBC SPOTY awards, while his side collect Team of the Year prize after ending 30-year wait for Premier League title
- Liverpool won big at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on Sunday
- Jurgen Klopp was named Coach of the Year after a sensational 12 months
- His players were named Team of the Year after winning the Premier League
- Captain Jordan Henderson was also in the running for the ceremony’s main prize
Liverpool completed a double at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony on Sunday night with Jurgen Klopp winning the Coach of the Year prize and the Premier League champions being named Team of the Year.
It has been a memorable 12 months for the Reds after they ended their 30-year wait for a league title in the summer.
Klopp’s side won their first-ever Premier League title after a staggering campaign that saw them collect 99 points, losing just three matches.
Jurgen Klopp was named Coach of the Year after another stunning 12 months at Anfield
Jordan Henderson was on hand to claim the Team of the Year prize for the Reds on Sunday
After an almost perfect start to the season, they finally wrapped the title up in June after the English professional game was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The domestic triumph followed their Champions League success in 2019.
Klopp said: ‘I think my team deserves it. It’s a mix of talent, desire and the power of the club. It was a great moment (becoming champions).
‘We do what we can to bridge the time until they (fans) are back. We want to organise a big, big party when it’s allowed again.
‘Maybe we can win something before then but if not the one thing we won last year for sure. Getting this prize in Manchester as well makes it even sweeter.’
Henderson added: ‘It means a lot to the team and for me the lads deserve it. They want to improve, push each other to succeed.
‘But I want to mention the team you don’t see on the pitch. They do everything for us to perform. The Medical team, kitchen staff, people at the training ground who do everything to allow us to play football every day.’
Liverpool were also named Team of the Year after finally winning the Premier League title
On his Coach of the Year prize, Klopp added: ‘I think when you are Coach of the Year of the Team of the Year it says it all.
‘My coaching team is the main reason that things work the way they work. The other contenders were from all other sports and it’s really nice.
‘On behalf of my coaches I accept it, obviously. and take it home to Liverpool.’
Captain Jordan Henderson was also one of the six nominees for the Sports Personality of the Year prize but came second behind winner Lewis Hamilton.
It came just over 24 hours after the Reds brushed aside Crystal Palace 7-0 to ensure they will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day.
Henderson scored a sublime goal in the victory with Klopp having to navigate an injury crisis over the past few months.