In a surprise move, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp announced he is leaving the club at the end of the season. Klopp has been with the club since 2015 and he was under contract until 2026. The boss released a video statement on January 26h outlining his decision and the reasons behind it. He also met with the media later in the day for a full press conference and LFC Globe will have a recap of that presser as soon as possible.
“I can understand that it's a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it,” Klopp said.
Klopp made it clear that the decision had nothing to do with the club but instead his energy level.
“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.”
“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy,” Klopp continued, “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.”
Klopp says he told the club about his decision back in November of 2023 after he realized he did not have the energy to beyond this campaign.
“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 anymore' and I was surprised myself by that. I obviously start thinking about it,” Klopp said.
Klopp was appointed manager of Liverpool Football Club in October of 2015 and since then has gone on to win six major competitions. They include 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. The Reds are also in contention to win four major competitions this season, so Klopp's swansong could be an impressive one.
“We will have a moment, maybe the last matchday here or somewhere else – I mean in other countries or other competitions. There's enough time to do these kinds of things,” Klopp said. “Let's now really go for it. The outside world want to use this decision, laugh about it, want to disturb us.”
“We are Liverpool, we went through harder things together,” Klopp continued. “And you went through harder things before me. Let's make a strength of it. That would be really cool. Let's squeeze everything out of this season and have another thing to smile about when we look back in the future.”
President of Fenway Sports Group Mike Gordon, expressed thanks for Klopp's contribution to the club while restating his commitment for the rest of the season and building a stronger future.
“I would like to state our profound appreciation for Jürgen,” Gordon said. “It goes without saying that we will be hugely saddened to lose not just a manager of such calibre, but a person and leader for whom we have enormous respect, gratitude and affection. At the same time, we fully respect his wishes and the reasons why he has decided the current season will be his last at Liverpool.”
Our priority now is two-fold,” Gordon said. “First, to ensure that the progress that has been made on the pitch this season is maintained in the final months of the campaign. Second, to continue the due diligence behind the scenes which will allow our football operations department to adapt to a future without Jürgen. As ever, these ambitions will be pursued in the best interests of the club and its supporters and we will update fans as and when significant developments are made.”
Of note, it will also be Assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, as well as elite development coach Vitor Matos last season with the club.
LFC Globe Verdict
Wow! What a surprise. I do not believe anybody in the football world was expecting this. Being from America, this is even more shocking because coaches normally announce their decision to leave the club after the season instead of in the middle of it. While I am disappointed that Klopp will not be with Liverpool after this season, I understand the decision. He is a type A personality with tons of energy and puts 100% into everything he does. If he can't do that it's not worth doing. So, here's hoping the players and everyone responds well to the news and puts together a strong rest of the season to make Klopp's swansong as Liverpool boss a memorable one.