Liverpool's throw-in coach has stated he 'feels sorry' for Andy Gray, after the pundit mocked his appointment at Anfield last year.
Thomas Gronnemark was hired by Liverpool to work with the first-team squad, and has since signed up for a third season with the Reds.
Gray sneered at the appointment at the time, saying on Bein Sports: "I’m sorry, a throw-in coach? Here’s the ball, pick it up with both hands, take it behind your head and throw it with both feet on the ground. I’ve got a new one for you, I want to be the first kick-off coach.”
But Gronnemark has responded to Gray's jibe in a recent interview with the Athletic .
“It didn’t bother me, I actually felt a little bit sorry for Andy Gray,” Gronnemark said.
“If a guy looks at something new and doesn’t understand it, you have two choices. Either laugh at it or try to find out more about it. I just wish he’d been a bit more curious and asked why would a world-class coach like Jurgen Klopp invite him? It would have made a good feature on their show.
“Instead it was a bit like they were talking in the pub after drinking 10 pints. I think it was unprofessional. Some people hoped I’d be angry but I wasn’t. The internet answered for me with the reaction he got.
“I can laugh at the fact I’m a throw-ins coach. It’s a funny job, I know that.”
Klopp now feels Gronnemark is an important member of his backroom team.
Liverpool's two goals against Southampton last month both started from long throws.
Gronnemark is considered the only coach of his kind in the world, and holds the record for longest ever throw-in at a mammoth 51.33 metres.
He now works for five different European clubs, including Danish side FC Midtjylland and Belgian club Gent.
But the 43-year-old draws the line at working with any of Liverpool's domestic rivals.
“I’ve had four other Premier League clubs approach my agent, but I really don’t want to coach a direct rival to Liverpool. It was my choice to say no.”
