With pre-season almost coming to a close in a few days’ time, it looks like football fans across the globe have had a fine time thanks to the various European clubs on tour during this time.
The likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Barcelona have all been on pre-season tours in various countries ensuring that those fans outside their home nation get to feast their eyes on their favourite players.
With most footballers focused on getting to optimal fitness rather than on the result of pre-season fixtures, they have also remained extremely approachable to supporters who would be keenly expecting to share a moment or two with them.
But it looks like fans have been making their way to stadiums not just to grab an autograph or photograph with players but also with the beloved coaches of their favourite teams. While players usually are in good moods during pre-season and hence, usually concede to fan requests, it appears the standard is somewhat different for managers.
When approached by supporters following their respective games on Saturday, it appears that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Villareal boss Unai Emery responded to these requests in starkly contrasting ways and these reactions have certainly amused the whole of the footballing community.
After Liverpool triumphed over title rivals Man City in the Community Shield following a 3-1 victory, it looks like the former Dortmund coach took the time out to meet a few Kopites who remained at the King Power Stadium singing in celebration.
Beyond the usual requests for a simple photo or sign, it looks like one Reds supporter requested the 55-year-old to etch his signature on the fan’s leg which he intends to convert into a tattoo.
In the clip, the fan can be spotted asking Klopp to sign horizontally right below his knees. Furthermore, it looks like this Liverpool supporter is an ardent fan of the German manager as he was already sporting an exquisite tattoo of the coach right across his calf. Klopp’s autograph as a tattoo would certainly be a fine addition to this supporter’s personal canvas.
While this supporter was able to share this wholesome moment with Klopp, another set of supporters who approached Unai Emery came away with an entirely different experience.
Having spent a year in England thanks to his time with Arsenal, the Spaniard was back in the country as Villareal were set to play Premier League side Southampton in a friendly fixture on Saturday.
After seeing his side come out 2-1 winners, Emery was set to leave the Saint Mary’s Stadium a happy man. But as he was signing away a few autographs for supporters before boarding the team bus, it appears that a few local supporters were hell-bent on riling up the Spanish coach.
In the fan grab of the interaction, the English supporters could be heard asking Emery to say his infamous “Good Ebening” phrase into the camera and were also mocking the coach by telling him that he did a good job at Arsenal.
As he was still learning English when he joined the Gunners in 2018, Emery was heavily trolled for saying ‘good ebening’ instead of good evening by supporters.
Totally unfazed by these taunts, Emery chose violence on Saturday as he responded in kind to these fans by flipping the bird.
In the aftermath of these contrasting reactions from these managers, perhaps football fans would surely be picking their targets carefully before approaching a coach with a personal request next time.
