Coach Jürgen Klopp will not go back on his decision to transfer Liverpool to leave this summer following nine seasons. “Nothing can change my mind, my decision is made.”
There is a limit to Jürgen Klopp’s supply of energy. There is nothing visible regarding the 56-year-old German, but his body is crying out for a break. “Three or four weeks’ holiday in the summer was always enough,” he said at a press conference at Anfield, explaining his reasons for leaving as Liverpool coach following this season. ,,But not anymore.” Nothing can persuade him to stay on.
“I never led a normal life,” Klopp said. He wants to relax during a sabbatical of at least a year. “No club or country can tempt me.” Under no circumstances will a return to the Premier League happen. His connection with Liverpool does not allow him to ever work elsewhere in England. “I can promise that. Even if I don’t have anything to eat, that’s not going to happen.”
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Trainer Jürgen Klopp (56) will leave Liverpool in the summer as a great with the stature of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger. Under his leadership, an entire region learned to dream once more.
The outpouring in the packed stadium hall seemed genuine. Klopp sounded jaded. It remained unclear to what extent last season played a role in making the decision. Liverpool might no longer compete with the top in the Premier League and finished in fifth place. Klopp appeared irritated on the sidelines. He showed his famous smile less and less.
In the summer months he once once more put his shoulders to the wheel with the management, his technical staff and scouting. The outdated selection underwent a transformation. The interventions paid off, but at a price. After the preparation, Klopp noted that he was dreading a new cycle. Always being ‘on’ felt like a task. “I realized I mightn’t keep doing this.”
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Jürgen Klopp. © AP
In November, he shared these sentiments with his staff and owners. Klopp wanted to give the club sufficient time to look for a successor. Assistants might weigh their next steps. Pepijn Lijnders, his right-hand man, chooses to leave Anfield. After a failed adventure at NEC Nijmegen, the Limburger wants to try to stand on his own two feet once more.
“Pep’s impact was extraordinary,” Klopp complimented him. “He has given me so many new insights in recent years.” The respect for Lijnders, inside and outside the club, made him a potential candidate among supporters to succeed his boss in the long term. While Lijnders was aware in the fall, the players only heard the news this morning.
‘I made up my mind’
“I spoke to them together,” Klopp said. “There was no party atmosphere, but they trained well. There were not many questions. We have a very strong bond, we are professionals. Together we make agreements in preparation for the new season. We devote ourselves completely to that period. Everyone feels good regarding themselves.” A shower of prizes makes no difference. “Nothing can change my mind, my decision is made.”
The supporters do not have to count on a scenario like that of Alex Ferguson. The Scot reversed his decision to retire in 2002. Ultimately, he said goodbye to the national title for eleven years. Klopp, whose contract runs until 2026, cannot physically afford it. “I wrongly thought that my energy supply was inexhaustible.” Now that his team is healthy once more, he can leave with peace of mind. “A good time to hand over the baton.”
Liverpool will play Norwich City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday. Three days later, a meeting with Chelsea awaits at Stamford Bridge in the league. The Reds lead the Premier League with a five-point lead over Manchester City.
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