Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp asserts that his departure from the club is a decision he is “convinced” is the right move, and he harbors “no regrets” about making that choice.
On Friday, the 56-year-old German declared his departure from Anfield at the season’s end, acknowledging that he recognizes his “resources are not endless” while his team contends for four trophies in the current campaign.
“With all the responsibility you have in this job, you have to be top of your game,” Klopp said.
“I’ve been doing this 24 years now. When you have the career I had it’s almost impossible to start where I did and arrive at Liverpool.
“I always invested everything I had. I realised my resources are not endless and I prefer to pack everything into this season and then have a break or stop or whatever. We’re not young rabbits any more and we don’t jump as high as we did.
“I still think it’s the right thing to do. I don’t take these things lightly. I’m convinced it’s right. I have no regrets but a lot of special memories.”
Klopp said the players did not ask many questions when he told them of his decision but that the “fight” was there for the rest of the season.
“We have a really strong bond with the players so they didn’t ask questions yet because we are professionals,” he said.
“You can see the boys are in a really good mood. They weren’t having a party when I told them but it was just an announcement.”
Despite having signed a contract extension in April 2022 that was set to run until 2026, Klopp’s recent announcement indicates a departure from his earlier assurance of being “100% convinced” about continuing until the agreed-upon timeframe.
Since taking charge of the club in 2015, Klopp cited a challenging previous season, marked by Liverpool’s failure to secure major silverware and a fifth-place finish in the Premier League. He described the subsequent summer as “difficult,” emphasizing that his energy levels are not infinite.
“I can’t do it on three wheels, I don’t want to be a passenger. My manager skills is based on energy and relationships,” he said.
“I am who I am and where I am because of how I am. I cannot be that any more.”o
‘No other English club ever’
Speculation around who will succeed Klopp come the end of the season has already begun, and Klopp said he will not have a say in who that is, but that the “strong structure” built since his arrival is “one of the reasons I can leave”.
“So many people work here with only one idea – to find a perfect solution for Liverpool. The last thing they need is advice from the old man walking out of the door,” Klopp said.
“I wish for the future this club the very, very, very best.”
Klopp affirmed his uncertainty about the future. When questioned on Friday about the possibility of a reversal in his decision, akin to the situation with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, he steadfastly asserted that such a U-turn would not occur.
Unlike Ferguson, who contemplated quitting before United’s Treble-winning season in 1999 but ultimately managed the club for an additional 14 years, Klopp emphasized that this scenario is not on the table.
While ruling out the possibility of a change, Klopp mentioned that he has not yet contemplated his plans post his tenure with Liverpool.
“I have not thought about that, because I have had no time to do that,” he said.
“Whatever will happen in the future I don’t know now, but no club, no country, for the next year, and no other English club ever.
“I can promise that. Even if I have nothing to eat that will not happen.”