Jurgen Klopp admits next season would have been ‘difficult’ if he had stayed at Liverpool – but insists he will return to watch games at Anfield… ‘even if the next manager doesn’t like it!’
- Jurgen Klopp leaves Liverpool after nine years at end of season
- But he promised he would return to Anfield to watch the games from the stands.
- It’s time for heavy metal football, Jurgen! Liverpool’s clash with Tottenham is a chance to remind fans of that era – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
Jurgen Klopp believes that if he had not made the shock decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, the club would have struggled next year.
The 56-year-old has just three matches remaining as Reds manager after nine years in charge on Merseyside.
Last January, Klopp surprised the football world by announcing that he would leave Liverpool at the end of the current campaign.
It doesn’t look like Klopp will experience the fairytale ending of a Premier League title after a major dip in form from the Reds, and he doesn’t think next season would have gone any smoother if he had stayed at the club.
“The football hasn’t been great in recent weeks and as a result you’re starting to hear people saying I look really tired. I’m just old,” Klopp said in an interview with Sky Sports.
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool would struggle next season if he remained in charge
The German won the Premier League title in 2020 but is leaving at the end of this season.
Klopp says he looks tired as he brings curtain down on nine years at Anfield
“I want to be there 100 percent until the last day. That was always the plan. I was sure that if I hadn’t made this decision now, next year it could have been tricky. The idea of getting back up for another pre-season, making big decisions.
“For that, you really have to be full of energy. 80 percent is not enough. It’s the truth. It’s too much. It’s a 24/7 job. Yes, there are more important things in life, but if you really care, it’s 24/7.
“I did it for quite a long time and I knew I couldn’t continue to do it at the level needed for a club like Liverpool.”
With Klopp in the dugout, Liverpool have won their fair share domestically. They reigned supreme in the Premier League in 2020, won the FA Cup and triumphed twice in the Carabao Cup – including this campaign.
They also won the Champions League in 2019 and won the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in the same year.
Klopp has become a messianic figure to the Liverpool faithful for what he achieved during his time at the club.
It’s clear that the bond between the fans and Klopp has been a two-way street and the German boss is not ready to completely walk away from the Reds.
Klopp guaranteed to sign with silverware after winning the Carabao Cup in February
Klopp says he will return to watch Liverpool in the stands in the future
Feyenoord’s Arne Slot set to replace Klopp as Liverpool’s new manager this summer
“It will be very difficult to no longer be a part of it like I am a part of it now – because I will stay a part of it, I will.
“I’ll come and watch the games, and if the next manager doesn’t like having me in the stands, this time I don’t mind.”
Liverpool have just two home games left this season and sit third in the Premier League with 75 points, having already won Champions League football.
Although Klopp’s farewell is fast approaching, it appears the replacement for next season is nearing completion as Feyenoord manager Arne Slot approaches the Anfield dugout.
Liverpool and Feyenoord have agreed a deal for Slot to succeed Klopp with £9m compensation agreed.
For now though, Liverpool fans are preparing to say goodbye to Klopp, and his penultimate match at Anfield against Tottenham is up next on Sunday.
