Coach Jurgen Klopp stunned Liverpool fans when he announced that he would leave Anfield after the end of the current season.
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| Coach Jurgen Klopp said goodbye when Liverpool was on the rise in the current season. (Source: Getty) |
Klopp has been at Liverpool for over eight years and is hugely popular with the Anfield faithful. Liverpool are on course for big success this season as Klopp's side are top of the Premier League and have reached the Carabao Cup final.
"It was my decision, I was exhausted," Klopp told Liverpool's website.
“I can understand that this is a shock to many people at this point, when you first hear it, but I can offer an explanation,” he shared.
I love this club, I love the city, I love the fans, I love the players, I love the staff. I love everything but I have to make this decision and you have to believe that this is my decision.
I have no problem now, I knew for a long time that I would have to announce my departure at some point, I'm completely fine now. I know that I can't do this job year after year."
Joining Liverpool in October 2015, the German coach has led Liverpool to win the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup, Community Shield and Super Cup.
Mike Gordon, chairman of Fenway Sports Group, said: “In keeping with Klopp’s expressed wishes, we will issue a comprehensive statement of gratitude at a more appropriate time. However, we would be remiss if we did not take this opportunity to reaffirm that his appointment remains one of the best decisions we have made as team owners.
The incredible achievements over the years speak for themselves, as does the joy Klopp and the team have brought to all the fans. Many of his achievements have been truly great."
In the 2019-20 season, Klopp led Liverpool to their first title since 1990 and the first in the Premier League era. A year earlier, Liverpool had lifted the Champions League trophy after defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
In the 2021–22 season, Liverpool won the FA Cup and League Cup, and came close to a quadruple, but they were overtaken by Manchester City in the Premier League on the final day of the season and lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
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| Coach Jurgen Klopp joined Liverpool in October 2015. (Source: Getty) |
Last season Liverpool were relatively poor, finishing 5th in the Premier League, but they have returned to their best form this season and are leading the table, with a 5-point gap over second-placed Man City.
"For me, being able to help the team get back on track was extremely important," Klopp said of the difficulties of last season.
"That's all I was thinking about. This is a really good team with great potential, from the age of the players to the individual talents, all of that made me start to think about myself and make a decision. This is not something I wanted to do, this is just something I felt was 100% right."
Klopp said he would have waited until the end of the season to announce his departure, but because he could not "keep it a secret", he announced it. He said there might be "a few sad faces for a few days", after which he hoped the team could return to normal.
Asked about the club's reaction, Klopp said: "They didn't ruin the party. We've developed a really good relationship over the years, when I announced my decision and they understood me so well that they didn't try to convince me or leave the door open for me to change my mind."
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