As Liverpool start £80m-a-year kit deal with Nike, manager Jurgen Klopp signs with adidas

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly signed a sponsorship deal with adidas, despite the club having only started a multi-million commercial arrangement with major rivals Nike this summer.

Nike will be the kit supplier to the Premier League champions this term which will expect to earn the Reds a £70million-a-year.

However, Klopp has become one of the most marketable figures in the game especially since leading the club to its first domestic league title in 30 years.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly signed a commercial deal with adidas

According to the Telegraph, he has already penned a deal with adidas with the deal expected to be announced imminently. 

The deal is likely to see the Liverpool manager parade the Anfield touchline next term in the German sportswear firm’s footwear.

Klopp’s charismatic presence on the touchline and engagement with supporters has earned him much praise, attracting him to corporate deals.

Klopp’s deal is expected to be announced just days after Liverpool started an association with Nike following the end of their partnership with New Balance (above)

Nike have recently unveiled the new home strip for the Reds to be used in the 2020-21 season

He has recently fronted a British campaign for the German beer Erdinger. While his coaching career in Germany saw him feature in TV commercial breaks, advertising cars and chocolate and biscuits.

Up until last season, Liverpool had been in partnership with New Balance before they won a High Court battle in October, that paved the way for them to start their partnership with Nike this summer.

In line with the club’s kit supplier, Klopp previously wore New Balance footwear but adidas have sneaked in to claim commercial rights which is likely to infuriate rivals Nike.

Klopp is expected to wear adidas footwear on the touchline. Previously he has worn New Balance in line with the kit suppliers of Liverpool from previous seasons

Nike and adidas have a fierce long standing rivalry in trying to land commercial deals for the biggest stars throughout the world of sport.

An announcement over an adidas deal for Klopp is likely to come just days after Nike launched their new home strip for Liverpool next term as part of their first ever sponsorship agreement with the club.

Liverpool’s deal with Nike will see the club earn one of the biggest kit deals in the top flight, just £5million less than the the £75million tie-up Manchester United have with adidas.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho is the only other coach in the Premier League with a major commercial deal with a sportswear company, he is also tied with adidas

Nike will kit out the senior men’s team, women’s side, academy squads, coaching staff and Liverpool FC Foundation.

Although Klopp’s agreement with a commercial kit supplier is rare for a manager it is not unique to the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur Jose Mourinho also has a deal in place with adidas, despite Spurs too having their kit supplied by Nike.