Jurgen Klopp has explained why he’s leaving Liverpool FC after nine years of collecting trophies for the club.
He shocked the football world today, Friday, by announcing he will leave the club at the end of the season because he is “running out of energy”.
According to the Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp, “I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything.
“But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I would have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now.”
Klopp made the revelation in an interview on Liverpool’s website.
Liverpool
Klopp has returned Liverpool to one of European football’s powerhouses since taking over at Anfield in 2015.
The German led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years in 2020. Also, a Champions League glory in 2019.
Currently, Liverpool are five points clear at the top of the Premier League. And the 56-year-old will be hoping to go out on a high by winning the title again.
He added: “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time.
“I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.”
Jurgen Klopp said he had taken the decision in November when discussions with the club about potential signings for next season began.
After years of battling with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and reaching the later stages of the Champions League, Liverpool struggled to match their usual standards under Klopp in 2022/23.
They finished fifth in the Premier League. Then they crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 after being thrashed 5-2 by Real Madrid at Anfield.
However, Klopp said it was vital for him to not leave on that sour note as a rejuvenated squad is in contention for four trophies in what remains of his reign.
Liverpool reached the League Cup final on Wednesday. They will face Chelsea in the final next month.
The Reds play Norwich in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday. Also, they are in the last 16 of the Europa League.
‘Profound appreciation’
Reflecting on the impact he has had at Liverpool, Klopp said: “For me, it was super, super, super-important that I can help to bring this team back onto the rails. It was all I was thinking about.
“When I realised pretty early that happened, it’s a really good team with massive potential and a super age group, super characters and all that, then I could start thinking about myself again and that was the outcome.
“It is not what I want to (do), it is just what I think is 100 percent right.”
Klopp’s backroom staff will also leave at the end of the season with assistant Pep Lijnders keen to pursue his own managerial career.
The US-based Fenway Sports Group, FSG, who own Liverpool, paid tribute to Klopp. The firm added that work will begin immediately on looking for his successor.
“I would like to state our profound appreciation for Jurgen,” said FSG president Mike Gordon.
“We will be hugely saddened to lose not just a manager of such calibre, but a person and leader for whom we have enormous respect, gratitude and affection.
“At the same time, we fully respect his wishes and why he has decided the current season will be his last at Liverpool.”
Trophies
Under his stewardship, Liverpool have lifted the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup, as well as the FA Community Shield.
Klopp has spoken in the past of his desire to manage the German national team.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on X, formerly Twitter: “This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it came. I just thought it would be another few years away.
“What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”
