The Premier League managers had a difficult day on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers was the first to be fired, followed by Graham Potter. On Saturday, each had fallen by one and two goals, respectively. Liverpool was defeated by a score of three. Jurgen Klopp was questioned about the exits of players he admires and respects. “I believe the elephant in the room is probably why I’m still sitting here in this i/n/s/a/n/e world,” he remarked. “The last one still standing.”
Liverpool has now lost three consecutive games. Their second-half performance against Manchester City was, in the words of German, “terrible.” Their season has been a sequence of humiliations: defeats in the Champions League by Napoli and Real Madrid, terrifying performances against Brentford, Brighton, and Wolves, and defeats to relegation-threatened Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth.
Yet, Klopp is still standing. He is the Football League’s third longest-serving manager, behind only Harrogate Town’s Simon Weaver and Accrington Stanley’s John Coleman, and for most of his seven-year rule, longevity has been a sign of success. As he freely confesses, he is now supported by his history. He is the Champions League champion, the first Liverpool manager to win the English Premier League in 30 years, and the coach who came within two games of completing a quadruple last season. He had financial credit in a manner that Potter, in particular, did not. He wishes he didn’t have to depend on it so much.
In other words, why is he still here? “To be honest, I’m not sure how to express it. “I am conscious that I am sitting here because of what has happened in the past, not because of what we have done this season,” Klopp stated. “It would be somewhat different if it were my first season, so that’s it.” I know I’m here because of what has transpired in the previous several years. I dislike the notion that I am forced to depend on it. Is it correct or incorrect? We’ll see in the future, but I’m all in.
“I am not here as a talisman or something or for paintings on home walls,” Klopp remarked, referring to his previous accomplishments. I am 100% certain that I am here to give.”
One of the most important aspects was that he did not dispute the premise of the inquiries; instead, he encouraged those regarding his position with a response about his dismissed colleagues. Neither did he declare, despite his affection for them, that Leicester and Chelsea were wrong to cut ways with Rodgers and Potter, respectively.
“I believe neither team is in the position they expect to be,” Klopp remarked. “Some clubs underperform this year, and we do.” We all know how much it means financially to be in a relegation f/i/g/h/t, but you could ᵴɑү the same about being in the Champions League and not being in the Champions League.” And, as things currently stand, Liverpool will not be. Theirs is a precipitous fall from grace for a team that was a finalist last season. “There are legitimate expectations out there, and if you don’t meet them, you have to accept the choices,” Klopp added.
None of this indicates that Klopp’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, are going to dismiss him; when Thomas Tuchel was sacked seven months ago and asked whether he dreaded a similar destiny, he replied: “There are various kinds of owners.” Our proprietors are rather calm and trust me to resolve the matter rather than expecting someone else to do so.”
That seems to be the case. Sorting it, on the other hand, has proven to be a more difficult task than anticipated. Liverpool’s latest effort to revive their season coincides with Chelsea’s first game without Potter; caretaker Bruno Saltor will be facing his ninth Chelsea manager. If Klopp stays, there should be a ninth next season as well.