After a wave of Premier League management resignations, Jürgen Klopp has underlined his dedication to Liverpool, declaring he is “totally in.”
Premier League executives are on high alert following the firings of Brendan Rodgers and Graham Potter, the latter of whom held the position for less than seven months.
Liverpool, however, has “wise owners,” according to Klopp, who also claims that he is “totally in.”
In response to a question on the recent firings at Leicester and Chelsea, Klopp said in a press conference prior to the trip to Chelsea: “The elephant in the room is probably why I am still sitting here in this ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ world, last man standing!”
Later on, he clarified: “Sure, we have knowledgeable owners. No, I’m not terrified about losing my job.
Although adamant that he would turn things around, Klopp acknowledged that the Reds “had to sort it” and said he was “totally committed” for the upcoming years.
There’s no need to be concerned, I have to deliver, the manager continued. I’m not here to serve as a talisman or as a wall decoration for a house. I am here to perform.
The manager still has the support of the supporters, and it is anticipated that he will receive funding to make big adjustments to Liverpool’s player roster.
Yet after being so close to a quadruple last time out, this season has been a huge letdown.
Klopp implied that he was only still in his position because of prior accomplishments.
“I’m sitting here because of the past, not because of what we did this season,” the German said.
“If this was my first season it would be slightly different.”
Liverpool’s road to recovery starts on Tuesday, as they travel to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea team beginning yet another new era under owner Todd Boehly.
Chelsea’s new manager left “sad” after “difficult 24 hours” pre-Liverpool
Bruno Saltor, the temporary manager of Chelsea, expressed his sorrow over Graham Potter’s leaving but promised to give it his all when Liverpool comes to town on Tuesday.
After the Blues’ 2-0 loss to Aston Villa at home on Sunday night, which saw them tumble to 11th in the Premier League, Potter was fired.
The PA news agency has learned that Todd Boehly and co-owner Behdad Eghbali unanimously agreed with Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart’s decision to fire Potter.
Billy Reid and Potter have both left the team, although Bjorn Hamberg, Ben Roberts, Kyle Macaulay, and former Brighton full-back Bruno remain in their positions.
“I just spoke to Graham five minutes ago,” Bruno ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟᴇᴅ at the start of his press conference.
“Obviously it’s been a difficult 24 hours for all of us, for the staff, for the families and now we just have to deal with the situation.
“It is a sad day. A sad day for staff because Graham and Billy leaving, two top coaches, top people, top human beings.
“How I see it is I have to be the most professional I can, try to help the players, guide the players to prepare the game the best we can.
“If I am here right now it’s because Graham and the club, they thought it was the right step and I’m here just trying to help the club and trying to be the most professional I can.”
Bruno stated that he was completely focused on getting ready to play eighth-placed Liverpool and that he had no idea how long he would be acting as interim manager.
The ʜᴜɴᴛ for a new manager at Chelsea will be led by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who are hoping for a better outcome after paying Potter and his backroom staff a record English fee of £21.5 million in September.
“I spoke to the owners, and they have been quite supportive,” the Spaniard continued. I’m concentrating on my training today, the game tomorrow, and then the next few steps.
“Obviously it is a massive challenge. I have been just four years coaching but I have been 20 years involved in football.
“I start really early and I have a lot of experience in changing rooms. What I will try to do is help the players, guide the players because I have been in those situation before.
“Then I think I have got that feeling that I can help, especially young players that have never been in this situation before.
“[We’re] seeing it as an opportunity for the players. We are representing Chelsea. A club with an amazing history, it is about winning, it is about dominating and what we need to do is prepare for the game.”
With three straight victories prior to the international break, including a triumph over Borussia Dortmund that advanced the team to the Champions League quarterfinals, Potter appeared to have temporarily rejuvenated his ailing reign.
It gave credence to the support that owner Boehly and his Clearlake Capital group had given the former Brighton manager.
But, the defeat to Villa, in which Chelsea once more failed to live up to the high standards set by Boehly’s massive £566 million transfer budget, put the belief that he was the appropriate person for the job to the test.
Bruno claimed, though, “I think Graham did an outstanding job,” even if he hadn’t yet spoken to the players ahead of an afternoon training session. Football is a very complicated industry, but we must continue.
“We’re all responsible for this. We have a responsibility to maintain a ᴘᴏsɪᴛɪᴠᴇ attitude and strive to concentrate our attention on the upcoming match.
