Jurgen Klopp was voted the League Managers Association Manager of the Year on Monday after ending Liverpool's 30-year wait to win the Premier League.
Klopp led Liverpool to the Premier League title in the same season that they were FIFA club world champions.
The German's award was announced by former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, who is now named the trophy. "Jurgen, great," said Ferguson on Sky Sports. "We talk about Leeds spending 16 years in the Championship, but Liverpool 30 years after winning that league, incredible."
"You totally deserved it. Your team's level of performance was outstanding. Your personality extends throughout the club. It was a wonderful performance."
"I will forgive you for waking me up at 3.30 in the morning to tell me that you have won the league! Thank you, but anyway, you totally deserved it. Well done."
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp said of Ferguson: "I know he is not 100 percent appropriate as Liverpool manager, but I admire him. I remember he was the first British manager I met.
"We had breakfast. I'm not sure how much he remembers, but I remember because for me this moment was like meeting the Pope. It was absolutely great and from that first season we clicked."
"I didn't think right now that I would have a trophy in my hands that bears his name."
Last year's award winner Chris Wilder settled for second place this time after Sheffield United's impressive first season in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Klopp wants to retain a slim squad to ensure Liverpool remain competitive next season.
The Reds boss used 24 players in the Premier League this period.
Klopp provided opportunities for some of the club's academy players in the FA and League Cups to cope with congestion in games.
But he believes that keeping a core as small as possible keeps players alert.
"The solution cannot be to have a much bigger team for the specific moment and then realize that not all players can be used," said Klopp.
"These players can only play soccer because they know they are necessary."
"They are all human beings and no one can be held for a year and then on the last day of the year they will be told: 'Now we need you.'
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