Geir Jordet — a professor at Norwegian School of Sport Sciences — has explained how the alternative man-management techniques of Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel played a huge factor in the FA Cup final. Liverpool beat Chelsea from twelve-yards with little to separate the two sides, though Konstantinos Tsimikas slotted the decisive penalty past Edouard Mendy.
The Blues have now lost four successive domestic finals at Wembley, and two of which have been via penalty shootouts against the Reds since the turn of the new year. Despite Tuchel's excellent work since replacing Frank Lampard at the helm of Stamford Bridge, the German has struggled to overcome his fellow countryman from twelve-yards.
A penalty shootout is mental game of chess between either manager. Once Craig Pawson blew the whistle to signal full-time after extra-time, the psychological warfare began.
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Jordet, a football psychology expert, has explained how Klopp's and Tuchel's different use of five-minutes impacted their respective side's result. Via his viral thread on Twitter, he wrote: "At around 60 seconds after the final whistle, Klopp already has made his selection and approaches each penalty taker to tell/ask him what shot to take.
"He does this one-on-one and often cements his ask with his trademark hug. The asking process is intimate, safe, and loving."
Jordet then added how Tuchel fell into the same trap that Gareth Southgate did in the 2020 Euro final when England missed three successive penalties to hand Italy the title.
The football psychology expert then explained how Tuchel subconsciously put his players under the spotlight, applying greater pressure and stress. One of whom was Mason Mount, who was asked in front of his teammates to take a spot-kick. The Cobham graduate — as pictured below — looked unsure and took the seventh, but failed to convert.
Jordet finished the thread by reaffirming how important it was that Klopp asserted dominance and great leadership in the final moments before the shootout commenced. He tweeted: "Jürgen Klopp’s Monsters of mentality are not born, they’re made.
"Proactive preparation, composed execution, and warm/loving communication tend to give the best possible foundation for performance under extreme pressure. Liverpool were up 1-0 before the shootout had even begun."
However, despite the sorrows, Tuchel was keen to say how proud he is of his side who went toe-to-toe with Liverpool. He said: "Well, I think like in the last final, the Carabao Cup, no regrets. I told the team I am proud.
"I was super proud before and happy before the match to arrive with this group. We were sure we were competitive and we could make life very difficult for Liverpool. We did it again.
"Then again we lose on penalties. We are disappointed, of course, and we are sad. But at the same time proud because we left anything that we need [on the pitch]."
