Liverpool: Jürgen Klopp explains in detail the reasons for his surprise departure

“I will leave the club at the end of the season. I can understand that it will be a shock to people when they hear it, but I can at least try to explain it.” It was exactly 11:36 a.m. this Friday, January 26, 2024, when Liverpool posted on their social networks an interview with Jürgen Klopp in which the German announced his future departure from the Mersey club. After almost nine years of good and loyal service, the emblematic coach of the Reds will therefore give up his apron while he still had two years of contract remaining. Why is Klopp throwing in the towel? In his announcement, the German indicates that he is exhausted. “It’s because I’m, how should I put it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously I already knew it for longer than I should announce it at some point, but I’m absolutely fine now. I know I can’t do this job over and over and over and over again. »

On the other hand, if this announcement was a surprise for the world of football, Klopp revealed in an interview published on the Reds’ official website that his leaders had been aware of it since last November. The native of Stuttgart also said he was surprised to see that the secret had been preserved. “In an ideal world, I wouldn’t have said anything to anyone until the end of the season, won everything and said my goodbyes. It is not possible. In the world we live in, it is not possible to keep these kinds of things secret; maybe it’s a surprise that we’ve been able to keep it until now», he rejoiced. And to add: “I already told the club in November. When we were sitting together (with its leaders) and we were talking about potential recruits, the next summer internship and its location, the idea came to me : “I’m not sure I’ll be there at that time,” which surprised even me. There are so many things that influenced this decision, especially personal reasons. My team members must be informed in time and the club in particular must be informed in time and must plan“, he concluded.

Klopp says he is exhausted

Pushed to leave for personal reasons, Klopp still met with the press this Friday at 4:00 p.m. at the Liverpool training center for an exceptional press conference. The opportunity to answer the many questions surrounding this choice: “the summer was difficult. We worked very hard to recruit the right players. The summer and preparation we had was exceptional. But it’s not about thatargued the German. I enjoy every minute, the team and the way we play, but that’s all we have to do on the side. The planning, the transfer window… I realized it was something I couldn’t do anymore… I did it so many times. I gave six press conferences a week for nine years. I have no problem with you, but I look forward to not doing it again. There’s so much about this job… You have to be the best version of yourself to be the manager of Liverpool. My management is focused on energy and building relationships.”

“Relieved” when communicating his decision to the club, Jürgen Klopp should now give himself a little rest, he who says he is worn out. “When you’re a coach, you have to be everywhere. There was relief when I made the decision and it was something I realized afterwards. Today it’s mixed but I’m not as emotional as I would be (when it’s officially over). I had to tell the owners, then the fans and the players. The reaction from the players was excellent.” If he will remain one of the club’s most emblematic coaches, Klopp assures that he does not intend to give his opinion on the identity of his successor: “Liverpool need a manager at the top of their game, and I can’t be that. If I will participate in the designation of my successor? The last thing they need is advice from the former manager. I will not do it.” A page is turning on the banks of the Mersey…