Salah Snubs Klopp, Names Spalletti as the Most Influential Coach of His Career
Liverpool forward praises Roma era under Italian tactician in France Football interview
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has credited Luciano Spalletti, not Jürgen Klopp, as the most influential coach of his career. In an interview with France Football, the Egyptian forward reflected on his development under the Italian manager during their time together at Roma, describing it as a pivotal period in his evolution as a world-class player.
“I’ve improved a lot with him, both tactically and mentally. He gave me the opportunity to express my talent and grow as a player,” said Salah, referring to his 2015–2016 season under Spalletti in Serie A.
Omission of Klopp draws attention
Salah’s comments raised eyebrows given the historic success he has achieved under Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool. Since joining the Premier League club in 2017, the Egyptian has lifted the Champions League, Premier League, and several domestic trophies, becoming one of Liverpool’s all-time top scorers with over 200 goals.
Despite these achievements, Salah made no mention of Klopp in his remarks an omission that has sparked debate among fans and pundits.
Spalletti’s impact at Roma
Spalletti, who later won the Serie A title with Napoli in 2023, played a key role in shaping Salah’s attacking instincts and confidence. The Italian gave Salah more positional freedom and tactical responsibility, elements the player says were crucial in preparing him for elite competition.
Salah’s standout performances at Roma eventually earned him a high-profile move to Liverpool in the summer of 2017 one of the most talked-about transfer windows of the decade, which also saw the arrivals of Ederson, Romelu Lukaku, and Bernardo Silva in England.
Spalletti’s recent trajectory
After his triumph with Napoli, Spalletti took over as Italy’s national team coach, but was dismissed following the team’s disappointing performance at UEFA Euro 2024 and poor World Cup qualifying results.
Even so, his reputation as a sharp tactical mind endures especially among players like Salah, who credit him with unlocking their potential at critical stages of their careers.
Salah among Liverpool legends
Now entering his eighth season at Anfield, Salah is behind only Roger Hunt and Ian Rush on Liverpool’s all-time scorers list in official competitions. He remains a crucial figure in the club’s current project, despite increased speculation about his future and interest from abroad.
