After almost 9 years at the helm of Liverpool, ManagerJurgen Klopp has finally decided to step away from the team. The manager is under contract with the team until 2026 but has decided to leave at the end of the season, a full 2 years earlier than expected.
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In November, the manager informed Liverpool management of this monumental decision but only announced it publicly this Friday. Klopp wanted to make sure the news did not leak and that players fans and staff alike heard the decision from him first. As such, a press conference was scheduled and an interview was recorded the day before with the media department of the team.
Why did Klopp decide to leave now?
Klopp is tired
While there could have been a lot of speculation, the manager was quite clear in his statements. The first thing that influenced Klopp to leave is that his energy reserves are not what they used to be. The manager was already drained by the disappointments of last season as Liverpool failed to qualify for the champion’s league for the first time in 7 years. Going into the preparations for the 24-25 preseason, Klopp realised he lacked the energy required for such a demanding position anymore. He states:
You have to be the best version of yourself, especially for a club like Liverpool where it means so much, and I can not do it on three wheels. It is not allowed. I have never wanted to be a passenger. My managerial skills are based on energy and emotion and that takes all of you and needs all of you.
I am who I am and where I am because of how I am, with all the good and bad things, and if I can not do it any more then stop it. It was not my idea [to stop] when I signed a new contract. I was 100% convinced in this moment that we would go until 2026. I judged it wrong. I underestimated because I thought my energy level was endless and now it is not.
The elite manager has confirmed that he will not be taking on another team but rather take a year-long sabbatical.
Liverpool is ready
Klopp never wanted to leave Liverpool in shambles. It took a lot of effort to turn the squad around from last year’s difficulties to the well-oiled machine that it is today. It seems as though the manager believes this is a healthy place for any new leadership to start. With fresh blood coming up from the academy and performing quite well, it means that anyone who will take over will have talented players with longevity and a good foundation to build upon.
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Sources:
The Mirror: Jurgen Klopp's reason for leaving Liverpool becomes even clearer after academy development
BBC: Jurgen Klopp to step down as Liverpool manager at end of season
The Athletic: Why Jurgen Klopp decided he had to quit Liverpool – and what FSG does now
