In a surprising turn of events, Jürgen Klopp has revealed his decision to step down from his role as the manager of Liverpool at the conclusion of the current season, citing a depletion of personal energy as the driving factor.
The 56-year-old Klopp, who took the reins at Anfield in 2015, has undeniably left an indelible mark on Liverpool’s football history. Under his guidance, the club secured significant triumphs, clinching the Premier League title in 2020 and the coveted Champions League trophy in 2019.
Despite these remarkable accomplishments, Klopp disclosed on Friday that this ongoing season will mark the culmination of his tenure as Liverpool’s manager. The announcement signals the end of an era for the club, as fans come to terms with bidding farewell to a manager who has been instrumental in transforming Liverpool into a football powerhouse.
Klopp will take a break from management and said he will not manage a club or country for at least a year. He also said he will never manage another club in England other than Liverpool.
“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,” Klopp said in a video statement released by Liverpool.
“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.”
He added: “If you ask me now if I will ever manage again, I would say no. But you don’t know obviously as I’ve never had this situation. But I do know definitely I will never manage a different club in England than Liverpool. It is impossible.
“I will find something else to do. But I will not manage a club or country for at least a year.”
In an emotional statement, Klopp said he owed Liverpool supporters an explanation for why he is stepping back now. He said it was a hard decision but also felt “relief” when he made it, saying it’s the right moment for him to try a “normal life” and see if he misses management.
“It would be cool if you can accept my decision as a hard one, but the right one,” Klopp said. “I need to find a different purpose and look for it.”
“I told the club already in November,” he said. “I have to explain a little bit that maybe the job I do people see from the outside, I’m on the touchline and in training sessions and stuff like this, but the majority of all the things happen around these kind of things. That means a season starts and you plan pretty much the next season already.
“When we sat there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and can we go wherever, the thought came up, ‘I am not sure I am here then anymore’ and I was surprised myself by that. I obviously start thinking about it.
Reflecting on the recent past and looking ahead to the future, Jürgen Klopp opened up about the challenges and triumphs that shaped his decision to step away from Liverpool at the end of the season.
Last season proved to be an arduous journey for Klopp and his team, marked by unprecedented difficulties. In other football clubs, such trials might have prompted a mutual parting of ways. However, Liverpool’s unwavering support and patience made a significant impact on Klopp’s perspective.
“It didn’t start [then], but of course last season was kind of a super difficult season, and there were moments when at other clubs probably the decision would have been, ‘Come on, thank you very much for everything but probably we should split here, or end it here.’ That didn’t happen here, obviously,” Klopp expressed.
The pivotal turning point for Klopp was his commitment to steering the team back to success. The manager was deeply focused on revitalizing the squad, recognizing its tremendous potential, a blend of youth, character, and talent. As the team regained its footing, Klopp could then consider his own path.
“For me, it was super, super, super important that I can help to bring this team back onto the rails. It was all I was thinking about. When I realized pretty early that happened, it’s a really good team with massive potential and a super age group, super characters and all that, then I could start thinking about myself again, and that was the outcome. It is not what I want to [do], it is just what I think is 100 percent right,” Klopp reflected on the intricate process of introspection and decision-making.
Since joining Liverpool in October 2015, Klopp has guided the team to remarkable heights, reclaiming the Premier League title in 2020, securing the Champions League in 2019, and adding the FA Cup and League Cup to their trophy cabinet in 2022. His tenure has seen Liverpool consistently competing at the highest level, with multiple appearances in Champions League and Europa League finals, along with triumphs in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Despite a challenging 2022-23 season, Klopp has successfully steered Liverpool back to the summit of the Premier League this season, currently holding a five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City after 21 games. As Liverpool remains in contention across four competitions—the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Europa League—Klopp aims to cap off his Anfield journey with additional silverware in his final campaign at the helm.
In a surprising twist, Jürgen Klopp, who inked a new deal with Liverpool in 2022 extending his original contract until 2026, has announced his departure from the club this summer.
Klopp addressed the decision, expressing, “We will have a moment, maybe the last matchday here or somewhere else—in other countries or other competitions. There’s enough time to do these kinds of things. Let’s now really go for it. The outside world wants to use this decision, laugh about it, want to disturb us. We are Liverpool, we went through harder things together. And you went through harder things before me. Let’s make a strength of it. That would be really cool. Let’s squeeze everything out of this season and have another thing to smile about when we look back in the future.”
Fenway Sports Group, the owners of Liverpool, paid heartfelt tribute to Klopp, assuring fans that it will be “business as usual” until the conclusion of the season.
“First and foremost, on behalf of John Henry and Tom Werner, I would like to state our profound appreciation for Jürgen,” remarked Fenway Sports Group president Mike Gordon. “It goes without saying that we will be hugely saddened to lose not just a manager of such calibre but a person and leader for whom we have enormous respect, gratitude, and affection. At the same time, we fully respect his wishes and the reasons why he has decided the current season will be his last at Liverpool.”
Gordon continued, “In keeping with Jurgen’s expressed wishes, we will save the comprehensive tributes for a more appropriate time, but nevertheless, we would be remiss if we did not take this opportunity to reaffirm that his appointment remains one of the greatest blessings of our time as owners. The incredible achievements of the intervening years speak for themselves, so too does the joy that Jürgen and his team have brought to all of us supporters. His many accomplishments will never be taken for granted. To appropriate an adage synonymous with another Liverpool managerial great, Jurgen Klopp ‘made the people happy,’ and we have total confidence he will continue to do so until his eventual departure.”
Jurgen Klopp’s departure not only signifies the end of an era on the pitch but also prompts strategic adjustments behind the scenes, as we prepare for a new chapter in Liverpool FC’s journey. The meticulous manner in which Klopp arrived at this decision speaks volumes about his unwavering professionalism and dedication to the club’s best interests. Importantly, this calculated move ensures that business continues as usual for the remaining duration of his tenure, offering us a seamless transition while proactively planning for the future.
Our immediate focus is twofold. Firstly, we are committed to maintaining the commendable progress witnessed on the pitch throughout the ongoing season. The team’s performance and aspirations remain paramount as we navigate the final months of Klopp’s managerial stint. Simultaneously, we are diligently working behind the scenes, conducting the necessary due diligence to facilitate a smooth transition within our football operations department as we prepare for a future without Klopp at the helm. Rest assured, these endeavors are guided by the best interests of the club and its passionate supporters, and we will keep you updated on significant developments as they unfold.
In expressing our deepest gratitude to Jurgen Klopp for his unparalleled contributions to Liverpool Football Club, we acknowledge his enduring legacy and thank him for everything he has done and continues to do. Jurgen, your impact is immeasurable, and when the time comes, you will never walk alone.
Looking ahead, the coaching landscape at Liverpool will undergo a transformation next season, with assistant managers Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz also bidding farewell to the club at the conclusion of the current campaign. Lijnders, driven by a desire to pursue his own managerial career, embarks on a new chapter. Additionally, the departure of sporting director Jorg Schmadtke after the January transfer window underscores the ongoing changes as Liverpool prepares for a dynamic future.
