Liverpool's Mohamed Salah names the best coach of his career, and it's not Jurgen Klopp

Mohamed Salah has revealed who he considers the best coach he has ever worked with—surprisingly, it is not Jurgen Klopp, under whom he reached his peak at Liverpool. The player also answered about the best defender he has ever faced and the greatest African player of all time

Having played for clubs including Al-Mokawloon, Basel, Chelsea, Fiorentina, Roma, and Liverpool, as well as the Egyptian national team, Salah has worked with numerous managers throughout his career. Yet, it is Italian coach Luciano Spalletti who earned his highest praise.

The two worked together at Roma between 2015 and 2016, and Salah did not hesitate to commend Spalletti’s impact on his development. "I improved a lot with him, both tactically and mentally. He gave me the opportunity to express my talent and grow as a player," he said when asked by France Football.

Is Mohamed Salah the greatest African player in history? ?

We challenged the Egypt and Liverpool star with rapid questions — no time to think, just speak.

⚡ Stay until the end — a few of his answers might surprise you.#ballondor #salah #rapidquestions pic.twitter.com/zVWMjfbtfq

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) July 18, 2025

Following his time at Roma, Spalletti managed Inter Milan and Napoli, winning the Serie A title with Napoli in 2023. He later took charge of the Italian national team but was dismissed in June 2025 after an unsuccessful tenure.

Salah’s best years under Klopp

Salah joined Liverpool in 2017 after his spell in Italy, where he met Jurgen Klopp. Under the German manager’s leadership, Salah enjoyed the most successful period of his career, winning numerous team honours and individual awards.

He secured the Premier League Golden Boot in 2017-18, 2018-19, 2021-22, and 2024-25 seasons, becoming Liverpool’s all-time top scorer in the English league.

His trophy haul under Klopp includes the 2018-19 Champions League, 2019 UEFA Super Cup, 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2019-20 Premier League title, League Cups in 2021-22 and 2023-24, the 2021-22 FA Cup, and the 2022 Community Shield.

Despite their success, tensions surfaced between the pair in 2024 during a heated exchange on the pitch. Klopp departed months later, with Arne Slot appointed as Liverpool’s new manager.

Salah also reflects on toughest opponent and greatest victory

When asked about the toughest defender he faced, Salah named Sergio Ramos, recalling their clash in the 2018 Champions League final. A hard tackle from Ramos caused an injury that ruled Salah out of the final and disrupted his preparation for that year’s World Cup.

Reflecting on his greatest career achievement, Salah singled out winning the Champions League.

He also named the best African footballers of all time, including George Weah, Didier Drogba, and Samuel Eto’o, while modestly placing himself among the continent’s finest.

This article was originally published on Trivela.