Manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted he will not change his mind for the rest of the season and will not help Liverpool choose his successor at Anfield.
On the afternoon of January 26, a few hours after announcing his departure from Liverpool at the end of the 2023-2024 season, Klopp attended a press conference before the match against Norwich in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Here, the German coach was reminded of the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson had changed his decision to retire at the end of the 2001-2002 season and continued to lead Man Utd until 2013 at the age of 71.
Asked about the possibility of changing his mind like Ferguson, Klopp replied: "Ferguson did that? No, nothing would make me change my decision. I respect Ferguson and don't know what made him change his mind before. I really thought a lot about leaving Liverpool, because of my relationship with the club."
Coach Jurgen Klopp at a press conference at Liverpool's AXA training center on January 26, 2024. Photo: AP
The German coach insisted that the team's results and performances from now until the end of the season will not affect his decision. "Even if Liverpool lose this season, I will not change my mind," Klopp said. "The most important thing is the potential of the team. I really see the team has a good system. We are not stronger than other teams, but we have a good foundation to work on and that is really important. So it is a good time to give the job to someone else."
The 56-year-old coach once again confirmed that he will not work at the national team or club level for the next year, and will not return to the Premier League to work. "What the future will be, I don't know at the moment. But I will never lead another English club," Klopp expressed. "I can promise that. Even if I had nothing to eat. But that will not happen, because of the great time at Liverpool."
Despite his influence at Liverpool, Klopp insists he will not interfere in the board's decision to appoint a new manager. "Why would I?" the 56-year-old said with a shrug. "The last thing they need is advice from an old man who is about to leave the club. I have an opinion on most things, but I don't always say it and I have no problem with that. I am at Liverpool until the end of the season and I will help them achieve the best results possible."
On January 26, Klopp announced that he would leave Liverpool after the 2023-2024 season ended because he was running out of energy and confirmed that he would not lead any other club in the Premier League. The decision was made in the middle of the season, but the German coach believes that this will not affect the team for the rest of the season.
"I feel relieved to have made the decision," Klopp said. "Today was a mixed feeling. It was important to tell the fans and to tell the players. The players' reaction was very professional. We have worked together for a long time."
When asked about the players' reaction, Klopp revealed: "We have a really strong relationship, but they haven't asked any questions yet. We have a really strong bond and are very professional. From the beginning of the season, the agreement with the players was that I would work for a year. We are still in that year and the players are in a really good mood. It's not like they threw a party when I announced I was leaving, they went out to train as normal. It's different from a sacked manager who just meets the players and says goodbye."
Hong Duy
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