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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shocked the football world on Friday by announcing that he would leave the club at the end of the season because it is “running out of energy. “
Klopp, who has returned Liverpool to one of European football’s powerhouses since taking over at Anfield in 2015, said the decision to leave was one “I have to take”.
He said his immediate plan is to take a sabbatical and added that he would never sign for any other English club.
“Whatever will happen in the future I don’t know now but no club, no country for the next year. No other English club ever, I can promise that,” said Klopp at a press conference.
The German led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years in 2020 and Champions League glory in 2019.
Liverpool have five things clear at the top of the Premier League and the 56-year-old will be hoping to get away with winning the title again.
“I can sense it’s a surprise to a lot of people at the moment, when you first hear it,” Klopp said in an interview on Liverpool’s website.
“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. I love everything. But the fact that I’m making this resolution anyway makes you think I’m convinced. That’s the one I have to take.
“It’s just that I’m running out, how to put it, energy. Now I don’t have any disorders, obviously, I’ve known about it for a long time and at some point I’d have to announce it, but I’m still completely fine now.
“I know I can’t do this task over and over again. “
Klopp said he made the decision in November when talks began with the club about potential signings for next season.
After years of suffering with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and reaching the final stages of the Champions League, Liverpool have struggled to meet the same criteria as always under Klopp in 2022/23.
They finished fifth in the Premier League and were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 after beating Real Madrid 5-2 at Anfield.
But Klopp said it was important for him not to leave on that sour note as a rejuvenated team is in contention for 4 trophies in the remainder of his reign.
Liverpool reached the League Cup final on Wednesday and will face Chelsea in the final next month.
The Reds face Norwich on Sunday in the FA Cup quarter-finals and qualify for the Europa League round of 16.
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 realized 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 and that was the result. That’s not what I need to (do), that’s precisely what I think is 100 percent true. “
“It’s too important to do it at 50 percent, it’s too important and this team is built for the future,” he added, explaining his resignation.
“When I said Liverpool 2. 0, obviously it didn’t stay with me for the next 10 years, but the team is there, the base is there.
Klopp will also leave at the end of the season with assistant Pep Lijnders set to pursue his own coaching career.
Liverpool’s Fenway Sports Group (FSG) paid tribute to Klopp and said search for his successor would begin.
“I want to express our deepest gratitude to Jurgen,” said FSG President Mike Gordon.
“Needless to say, we will be extremely sad to lose only a manager of such caliber, but also a user and a leader for whom we have great respect, gratitude and affection.
“At the same time, we completely respect his wishes and the reasons why he has that the current season will be his last at Liverpool. “
Under his leadership, Liverpool won 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 already spoken beyond his intention to manage the German national team.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on X, formerly Twitter: “This news was going to be a huge blow to the club every time it happened. I just imagine it would still be a few years away. “
“What a manager, what a man, let’s swoon with pleasure Jürgen!”