Bakary Diakité: Jürgen Klopp cares about the mental health of his players

Diakité played under Klopp when the German mentor still coached Bundesliga side, Mainz.

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Speaking to SABC Sport at the FSV Mainz 05 x Bundesliga coaching clinic the German-Mali striker shares how Klopp has always been interested in knowing his players holistically.

''He would try to see and understand soccer players holistically, not only you're on the field and go and score then goodbye. No, soccer players are also human beings and have feelings, one has to try and understand how soccer players function,'' said Diakité.

Klopp announced in January his decision to step down as a Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

Diakité also shares how the German mentor is all about self-development on and off the field, something that he always shares with the child that he coaches.

''Everybody knows Klopp, it is an easy introduction as well for me to talk about Klopp. He was my coach. I always tell the kids that what I have learned from Klopp is that he has such a great passion for the sport,'' added Diakité.

In 2021 South African netball player Lenize Potgieter took a six-month mental health break from the sport when she was diagnosed with depression.

Robyn Moodaly and Lyle Foster also stepped back from national duty due to mental health issues. The former striker encourages more athletes to seek support to tackle their mental health challenges.

''Mental health is a very important issue, I hope that more players get a chance to get mental support from the clubs,'' he concluded.

Diakité who was born to a German mother and Mali father chose to play for Mali internationally. Mali were knocked out of the 2023 AFCON by hosts Cote d'Ivoire and the former striker says Mali has quality players, it’s up to the federation to invest in them.