Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has announced his decision to step down at the end of the season, bringing an end to his nine-year stay at the club.
Assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, as well as elite development coach Vitor Matos, will also leave at the end of the season.
The German manager’s decision has come as a shock to many people (although not to us).
Klopp has become synonymous with the Merseyside club since taking over as manager from Brendan Rodgers in October 2015.
The 56-year-old has transformed Liverpool into winning machines again, refurbishing the squad on a light budget compared to rivals Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
The former Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund manager spearheaded Liverpool to the Europa League final in his first season as he established himself in England. It was their first European final since 2007. They also reached the League Cup final but lost both games.
Klopp worked on taking Liverpool back into the Champions League the following season and succeeded, setting themselves up for a remarkable 2017/18 campaign in which they reached the final of the competition before losing to Real Madrid.
Liverpool eventually secured the European vrown in the 2018/19 season and came close to the Premier League title, losing out by a point to Manchester City.
Klopp claimed his first Premier League title the following season before a domestic cup double in the 2021/22 campaign.
1 – Jürgen Klopp has the highest win rate of any manager in Liverpool's history in all competitions (60.7%, 50+ games), while he is the only Liverpool manager to win each of the top-flight, European Cup/Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup with the Reds. Boss. pic.twitter.com/gddqUpEvTM
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 26, 2024
He also won the Super Cup and Club World Cup, amassing every single trophy available.
After Liverpool’s struggles last season, they have bounced back impressively this term, leading the way in the Premier League with 48 points and reaching the final of the League Cup.
They remain in the FA Cup and have reached the knockout stage of the Europa League, and Klopp will be desperate to close out this chapter of his illustrious career with more trophies.
Klopp said: “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment. When you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.
“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.
“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.”
