In a shocking turn of events, Jurgen Klopp has declared that he will be parting ways with Liverpool at the end of the current season, leaving both the club and the football world in disbelief.
The 56-year-old, who has been at the helm of Liverpool since 2015 and is under contract until 2026, cited “running out of energy” as the primary reason behind his unexpected decision.
Despite his contract extending for two more years, Klopp revealed through the club’s media channel that he has opted to step down ahead of schedule. This unforeseen announcement is set to impact not only the devoted Liverpool supporters, who hold the charismatic German manager in high regard, but also the players and the club’s owner, Fenway Sports Group.
Klopp’s tenure as Liverpool’s manager has been transformative, elevating the team’s fortunes under the ownership of the former Borussia Dortmund coach.
Liverpool has yet to approach anyone regarding the possibility of succeeding Klopp. However, speculation points to former midfielder Xabi Alonso, currently guiding Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga, as a potential candidate for consideration.
Klopp’s reign at Liverpool has been marked by remarkable success, including victories in the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Club World Cup. The team recently secured a spot in another Carabao Cup final and currently holds a five-point lead over Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp has won every trophy as a Liverpool since joining the club in 2015 (Image credit: Getty Images)
In his announcement, Klopp disclosed that he had informed the club’s owners of his intention to leave back in November. Despite acknowledging the shock his decision may bring, Klopp emphasised that he is “running out of energy” and expressed his deep love and appreciation for every aspect of the club, city, supporters, team, and staff.
“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 will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.
“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.”
Jurgen Klopp dismissed any speculation of underlying health issues, stating, “I am healthy, as much as you can be at my age.” He explained that his decision was born out of a realisation that he could no longer sustain the demanding role of a football manager.
“I told the club already in November. I have to explain a little bit that maybe the job I do people see from the outside, I’m on the touchline and in training sessions and stuff like this, but the majority of all the things happen around these kind of things.
“That means a season starts and you plan pretty much the next season already. When we sat there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and can we go wherever, the thought came up, ‘I am not sure I am here then any more’ and I was surprised myself by that. I obviously start thinking about it.
Klopp highlighted the challenging nature of the previous season but underscored the importance of helping the team rebound, which delayed his contemplation of a personal departure.
“It didn’t start [then], but of course last season was kind of a super-difficult season and there were moments when at other clubs probably the decision would have been, ‘Come on, thank you very much for everything but probably we should split here, or end it here.’ That didn’t happen here, obviously. 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% right. That’s it.”