JURGEN KLOPP is reportedly set to depart Liverpool at the conclusion of the season.
The German took over at Anfield in October 2015, but he has now opted to end his Liverpool career.
Jurgen Klopp will step down at the end of the season. Klopp guided Liverpool to their sixth Champions League victory in 2019 and won the League Cup and FA Cup double in 2022. Klopp took over as Liverpool manager in October 2015. He has won the Premier League and Champions League with the Reds and presently leads the Premier League table.
However, he admitted that he is losing vitality and will be unable to continue working year after year.
Klopp addressed his decision to resign in an emotional interview when he expressed his love for the club, the fans, and the city.
He stated, “I understand that it’s a shock to many people right now, when they hear it for the first time, but clearly I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.
“I love everything about this club, the city, our supporters, the players, and the staff. I love everything. However, the fact that I am still making this decision demonstrates that I am confident it is the right one.
“It is that I am, how shall I put it, running out of energy. I have no trouble now; obviously, I have known for a long time that I would have to declare it at some point, but I am completely OK right now. I am aware that I will be unable to complete the task repeatedly.
“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.”
Klopp notified Liverpool’s owners of his plans to leave in November.
He won five major trophies with the Reds.Liverpool earned its first league title in 30 years under the GermanKlopp’s wife Ulla had already persuaded him to stay at Liverpool.
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Liverpool’s next manager seek
By Chisanga Malata.
LIVERPOOL are looking for a new manager following Jurgen Klopp’s stunning departure.
The German revealed the shocking news on Friday morning, leaving Kopites throughout the world startled.
Fans are already wondering who will replace the renowned German in the Anfield dugout.
And SunSport has five excellent prospects to replace the club’s soon-to-be former iconic boss.
Xabi Alonso
The former Liverpool midfielder is the favourite to succeed Klopp following a standout one-and-a-half seasons in command of Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso has a 64% win ratio for the Bundesliga club, which he led to a sixth-place finish and Europa League qualification last season.
Roberto de Zerbi
The Italian has been a revelation for Brighton since taking over from Graham Potter at the Amex in September 2022.
Last season, Brighton finished in sixth position, just five points behind Liverpool.
JosΓ© Mourinho
The former Chelsea and Manchester United player is now a free agent after being released by Italian heavyweights Roma this month.
Mourinho has a tumultuous history with the club, but he’d be the ideal candidate if the Reds want to hire a well-known manager.
Unai Emery
The Spaniard has successfully recovered from a catastrophic period with Arsenal at Villa Park.
Emery led Aston Villa to seventh place last season, and they’re on track to improve this season as they sit fourth in the Premier League table.
Steven Gerrard
Since he retired from playing, the Reds icon has been projected as the club’s future manager.
His ill-fated time at Aston Villa, however, may deter the club from making an emotional managerial return to Anfield.
On top of that, the former England player has recently signed a new contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.
His decision comes barely 18 months after Klopp reversed his plan to leave Liverpool after being persuaded to stay by his wife Ulla.
Klopp instead signed a four-year contract, but after discussing summer plans with club officials, he realized he wasn’t likely to stay for next season.
He said, “I informed the club in November. I’d like to clarify that while people may see my job as being on the touchline and in training sessions, the majority of what I do revolves around these types of activities.
“That means a season begins, and you’re already planning for the next season.
“As we sat there talking about potential signings, the next summer camp, and where we may go, the idea occurred to me, ‘I am not sure I am here anymore,’ and I was astonished by it. I definitely begin to think about it.
“It didn’t start [then], but last season was extremely difficult, and there were times when at other clubs, the decision would have been, ‘Come on, thank you very much for everything, but probably we should split here, or end it here.'” Clearly, it did not happen here.
“It was critical for me to be able to help this team get back on track.” That’s all I was thinking about.
“When I realized relatively early on that it was a really excellent squad with tremendous potential and a super age group, super characters, and so on, I was able to start thinking about myself again, and that was the result.
“It is not what I want to [do], it is just what I think is 100 per cent right.”
Klopp only misses the Europa League.
Xabi Alonso is the favorite to take over
By Dan King.
Xabi Alonso checks practically every box to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, and if Bayer Leverkusen does not lose their advantage at the top of the Bundesliga, the argument for him will be compelling.
After five seasons at Anfield, the former Kop idol knows the club inside and out and has made no secret of his long-held passion.
Alonso has already established a reputation as an inventive coach who employs an appealing, pressing style, typically in a fluid 3-4-2-1 configuration.
He has led Leverkusen from second-bottom in the Bundesliga to seven points clear at the top, putting them on track to become German champions for the first time in their 120-year history.
It’s worth noting that both Rafa Benitez and Klopp came to Anfield with a track record of dethroning league leaders.
Alonso’s ability to achieve this in only his second season as a top-flight manager would distinguish him as something remarkable.
Appointing him to replace Klopp would still be a gamble due to his lack of long-term experience.
But, in other ways, he appears to be the ideal choice as Liverpool prepares for life without the man who led them to England, Europe, and the world championship.
Klopp’s decision has caused shockwaves, leaving both fans and pundits surprised.
Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher responded, saying: “This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it happened.
“I just assumed that would be a few years away.
“What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”
While Gary Lineker exclaimed, “Wow.” This is huge news. What an outstanding job he has done. This afternoon, you will receive a special The Rest Is Football podcast.
Compatriot Thomas Tuchel, who succeeded Klopp as Borussia Dortmund manager in 2015, added: “I need to process that first.
“Kloppo is one of the world’s top coaches; he has consistently had an impact on the clubs where he has worked. It’s huge news.”
Laura Woods, a TNT Sports presenter, too expressed her surprise, tweeting, “Woww. I don’t even support Liverpool, yet I’m upset.”
He oversaw Liverpool’s first league victory in 30 years in 2020, a year after leading the club to Champions League triumph.
The German also led Liverpool to a cup double in 2022, defeating Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals.
Klopp’s first final as Liverpool manager was a Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City in 2016, and the Reds also lost the Europa League final to Sevilla that year.
However, he still has a chance to add to Liverpool’s trophy cupboard, since his team is now top of the standings, five points ahead of second-placed City.
Liverpool are also still in three cup competitions, having advanced to the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday.
The Reds are now looking for a successor to Klopp, with former player Xabi Alonso the leading candidate.
Alonso has impressed in his first managerial role at Bayer Leverkusen, leading his team to the Bundesliga title this season without losing a single game.
However, he has dismissed reports linking him with the Liverpool post, saying: “Speculation is normal; my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen.”
“I’m really delighted with my players at Leverkusen right now.
“Big surprise in Liverpool, of course β for what JΓΌrgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration.”
