In the style of what Josep Guardiola said when he left Barça but with many more seasons at the same club. This is what the Liverpool coach, the German Jürgen Klopp (56 years old), did yesterday, announcing that he will leave the Anfield club at the end of the season. “I’m running out of energy,” argued Klopp.
The German has a contract until 2026, but has decided to leave the helm of the Red team after nine seasons at the helm of the ship. “I can understand that it’s a shock to a lot of people, but obviously I can explain it, or at least try to. I love this club, this city, our fans, the team, the employees… but I am convinced to make this decision”, emphasized the coach, who says that he has suffered wear and tear and can no longer enjoy himself as before.
“I’m running out of energy. I have no problem, now. I knew it for a long time and had to announce it at some point. I know I can’t do the work over and over again. At the end of the day, during the time we’ve spent together, respect and love have grown and the least I owe you is the truth,” Klopp said in a message to Liverpool fans. Later, in a press conference, he specified his reasons more: “I have been working for 24 years and I need to stop for a while. Liverpool need a manager at his best. My skills as a coach are based on energy, on how I manage my relationship with the footballers. And if I can’t do that, I lose my stamp.”
The coach confirmed that he will take a sabbatical. “I will not coach any club or national team next season. And no English club ever again. Even if I don’t have anything to eat, it won’t happen.”
The German landed in Liverpool in the 2015-2016 season. During this long career, he has led the team to win the 2018-2019 Champions League, the 2019 European Super Cup and the 2019 Club World Cup. In addition, he has lost two Champions League finals. On English soil, he has led Liverpool to win the Premier League 2019-2020, the League Cup 2021-2022, the FA Cup 2021-2022 and the Community Shield 2022. His team is currently leading the Premier League. But above all he has applied his rock and roll football to Anfield.
Once Klopp’s decision was known, names of possible replacements began to be heard. For example, that of Xabi Alonso, ex-Liverpool player who is doing such a good job at Bayer Leverkusen. “My farewell at the end of the season is no excuse in the fight for titles”, concluded Klopp. Lifting trophies would be the best tribute to the team.
