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LONDON — Jürgen Klopp stunned the world of football on Friday when he announced he would stand down as Liverpool manager at the end of season, saying that after more than eight hugely successful years in charge he was running out of energy.
The German, who led Liverpool to the League Cup final on Wednesday and is hugely popular with fans, told the club’s hierarchy in November that he would end his eight-and-a-half-year tenure at Anfield after this season.
Assistant coaches Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz leave the club.
Why Klopp is leaving Liverpool
“How can I say it? I’m running out of energy,” Klopp, 56, told Liverpool’s website. “I can understand that it’s a surprise to a lot of people nowadays, when you first hear it, but I can clearly understand it, or at least try it.
“For sure I love everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our fans, I love the team, I love the staff. But the fact that I’m still making this resolution shows that I’m convinced of it. “It’s the right one. I have to take it.
“I don’t have any disorders now, obviously, I knew for a long time that I would have to announce it at some point, but now I’m completely fine. I know I can’t do homework over and over again. “and over and over and over again. “
The German joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his tenure.
“In accordance with Jürgen’s expressed wishes, we will save the full triyetes for a more suitable time, but we would be remiss if we took this opportunity to reaffirm that his appointment remains one of the greatest blessings of our time as owners. “said Mike Gordon, president of Fenway Sports Group.
“The performances of the last few years speak for themselves, as does the joy that Jürgen and his team have brought to all the fans. His many accomplishments will never be taken for granted. “
Klopp has won seven trophies at Liverpool and will always be remembered as the manager who brought the glory days back to the club, tasting success at home and abroad.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Liverpool won the Champions League trophy in 2019, beating Tottenham Hotspur in the final, after completing Real Madrid’s second last year, and won the UEFA Super Cup by beating Chelsea on penalties.
In December 2019, Liverpool won the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time and the 2019-2020 season ended a 30-year wait for the English league title.
Liverpool won the league for the first time since 1990, their first Premier League crown, finishing 18 points ahead of Manchester City.
They won the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022 and came close to the quadruple by losing the league title to Manchester City on the final day of the season and losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
Last season was a relatively poor one, with a fifth-placed finish in the league, but they have roared back to their best this campaign and lead the Premier League standings.
Embed from Getty Images
“For me it was super, super, super-important that I can help to bring this team back onto the rails,” Klopp said in relation to last season’s struggles.
“That was all I was thinking about. When I found out quite early on what had happened, it was a smart team with huge potential and a wonderful age range, wonderful characters and all that, so I was able to start thinking about myself. “I came back and that was the result. It’s not what I need to (do), it’s just what I think is 100 percent right. “
The love that Klopp has for the club and their fans means, that despite not knowing what his future holds, he could make one promise to them.
“What I’m sure of is that I will never manage 100 per cent consistent with any other club in England other than Liverpool,” Klopp said.
“That’s not possible. My love for this club, my respect for the people is too big. I couldn’t. I couldn’t for a second think about it. There’s no chance.”
Always friendly, captivating and hilarious. We will miss this guy through PL. ❤️ pic. twitter. com/0s4MgygJYg
– Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) January 26, 2024
(Reporting by Simon Jennings, Trevor Stynes, Mitch Phillips; editing by Christian Radnedge and Ed Osmond)
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