Royal honor
Jürgen Klopp receives medal just shy of knighthood
June 8, 2026 – 6:08 p.mReading time: 1 min.
He has long been revered as a hero in Liverpool, and now he has received an award from the royal family. But Klopp will probably never be allowed to call himself “Sir Jürgen”.
Former Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp has received an order from the British royal family. As Sportfive announced, the German coaching legend was made an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for “extraordinary service to football and his ongoing contribution to the people of Liverpool”.
The award is just below the knighthood. However, non-British people can only be accepted into the order on an honorary basis. If Klopp ever receives a knighthood, he will probably not have the title “Sir” in his name.
Ceremony information is still pending
It is not the first state award for Klopp. Two years ago, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented him with the German Federal Order of Merit at Bellevue Palace. The coach had previously led FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund to success in the Bundesliga. Today he is global head of football in the Red Bull cosmos.
In Great Britain, medals are awarded by members of the royal family. It was not initially known who would present Klopp with the award and where the ceremony would take place.