Overview

• kicker and the Deutsche Akademie für Fußball-Kultur confirmed Klopp will receive the honor at the gala in Nuremberg and attend in person.
• The award recognizes long-standing merits as a leading figure who pairs sporting success with human values and bridge-building in football.
• Thiemo Müller of kicker said the jury assessed Klopp on personal merits, noting his recent Red Bull role did not influence the choice.
• Klopp will donate the €10,000 prize to KickIn, an inclusion counseling initiative connected to the Bundesbehindertenfanarbeitsgemeinschaft.
• He follows Christian Streich as recipient, joining past honorees such as Ottmar Hitzfeld, Sir Alex Ferguson and Joachim Löw, with the prize awarded annually since 2006.