Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp deserved his success this season, and was even willing to forgive the German for waking him up in the early hours of the morning to announce his league triumph.

Klopp was presented with the Alex Ferguson Trophy on Monday after being named League Managers’ Association manager of the year for guiding the Merseyside club to their first top-flight title in 30 years.

“I will forgive you for waking me up in the morning at half-past three to tell me you won the league! Thank you,” a jovial Ferguson said in a congratulatory video. “You really thoroughly deserved it.”