Dietmar Hamann Says Jurgen Klopp Is Ideal Liverpool Successor to Brendan Rodgers

The seemingly imminent arrival of Jurgen Klopp at the Anfield helm has former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann under the impression the two parties are a match made in heaven.

Hamann is backing his German compatriot to lead the Reds out of their current slump and back to the glory days of old, although he added it will be a gradual improvement, per talkSPORT (h/t the Mirror's Alex Richards):

"

He is the ideal candidate for the job. He is the one I would pick. The expectations and the mood couldn't be any further down than it is at the moment at Anfield so it is a great time to come. I don’t think with his appointment Liverpool will become title contenders overnight but you need to have a lift from somewhere and I think he can do this.

The place has been like a morgue for a long time now and it needed a lift from somewhere and that’s why the change of manager was a logical thing to do. Maybe it should have been done in the summer, but better late than never. Liverpool is a working class club, a working class town, and you need somebody that the fans take to. It is very important at a club like Liverpool that the fans take to the manager.

"

Sunday saw Brendan Rodgers axed from his position at the Liverpool helm, and it's reported owners Fenway Sports Group are making swift moves to secure the signature of his replacement.   

Bundesliga pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft has claimed Liverpool will unveil Klopp as the new manager on Friday, and the ex-Borussia Dortmund chief is causing quite a stir in Premier League waters:

After leading the Black and Yellows to successive Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, Klopp could be the fresh and unobscured pair of eyes Liverpool need to become Premier League contenders once again.

Hamann isn't the only former Reds star in awe of the manager's ability, though, as ex-striker Robbie Fowler has spoken of his interest in taking a place among Klopp's backroom staff should Liverpool give him the job:

Borussia Dortmund had just finished the 2007-08 campaign in 13th place as Klopp took up his role at their command, rebuilding the foundations of a team who had, like Liverpool, lost their European shimmer.

It was unfortunate an injury-ravaged last season at Signal Iduna Park saw his side finish the 2014-15 campaign seventh in the German top flight, but his achievements at the club won't be forgotten too easily.

While the club may not be where the owners want it, there is some potential in the squad after Rodgers spent a whopping £292 million on transfers during his three years in charge, per the Mirror's Joe Mewis.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Klopp would appear to see it as an opportunity to work with stars such as Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino, whom he'll be aware of from the forward's days at Hoffenheim.

Every Liverpool fan will hope Klopp proves to be the zany and more than average tactician who can lead them out of the dullness that's fallen since the second-place Premier League finish on 2014.

Liverpool haven't officially handed the former Dortmund and Mainz manager the reins just yet, but Hamann is among the names already backing Klopp to be a success and restore some cheer to Anfield's Kop.