ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI WINS FIFA AWARD FOR BEST MEN'S PLAYER 2020
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Robert Lewandowski claimed Jurgen Klopp is a "bad teacher in the best sense of the word" as he opened up on why the Liverpool boss is a "father figure" to him.
Klopp was the man who brought Poland ace Lewandowski to the Bundesliga in 2010, signing him for Borussia Dortmund for £4million.
The pair enjoyed a stunning four seasons together, with Lewandowski plundering 103 goals in 187 games as Klopp steered Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal.
Lewandowski shared a strong bond with the charismatic German manager and used an example from the 2011/12 season to illustrate their relationship.
© AFP/Getty ImagesKlopp developed Lewandowski from a young prospect to one of Europe's finest strikers
"When the second season began, I was still struggling," the 32-year-old told The Players' Tribune . "I also felt that Jurgen wanted something from me, but I didn't understand exactly what.
"So after a really bad defeat to Marseille in the Champions League - I think we lost 3-0 - I went to see him. I said, 'Jurgen, come on. We have to speak. Just tell me what you expect from me.'
"I can't remember everything he told me - my German still wasn't the best - but through the few words I knew and from his body language, we understood each other. We had a great chat.
© Bongarts/Getty ImagesThe pair had a fantastic relationship away from the training ground
"Three days later, I scored a hat trick and assisted another goal against Augsburg. We won 4-0, and that was the turning point for me.
"It was a mental thing, a hang-up of some sort. And I think it had something to do with my father.
"At the time I didn't think about it. But now I realise that my conversation with Jurgen was like one of those I wish I could've had with my dad [who died when Lewandowski was a teenager]. One of those I had not been able to have in many, many years.
© Bongarts/Getty ImagesKlopp was devastated to lose Lewandowski to Bayern Munich in 2014
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"I could talk to Jurgen about anything. I could trust him. He is a family man, and he has so much empathy for what goes on in your private life."
Lewandowski and Klopp went on to win the league-cup double in the 2011/12 season and the Pole - who moved to Bayern Munich in 2014 - amusingly reflected on why his former manager was a "bad teacher".
He added: "Jurgen was not only a father figure to me. As a coach, he was like the 'bad' teacher. And I mean that in the best sense of the word.
"Let me explain. Think back to you when you were in school. Which teacher do you remember the most? Not the one who made life easy for you and never expected anything from you.
"No, no, no. You remember the bad teacher, the one who was strict with you. The one who put pressure on you and did everything to get the best out of you.
"That's the teacher who made you better, right? And Jurgen was like that."
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