An era is coming to an end: Jürgen Klopp will step down as coach of Liverpool FC after this season. He has been with the “Reds” since 2015 and, among other things, led them to their first championship title in 30 years.
His contract in Liverpool actually runs until 2026, but Klopp, who is repeatedly considered a preferred candidate for the position of national coach of the German national team, has decided to pull the ripcord before then. On Friday (January 26, 2024), the 56-year-old and Liverpool made the decision public – 3,032 days after he started his job at Anfield Road.
Klopp: “I have no energy left”
“I have to tell you something: I will be leaving the club at the end of the season“said Klopp in a video statement that was published on “X”, among others.”I can understand that this is a shock for many people at this moment, but I can explain. I love everything about this club, this city, our fans, the team, the staff, everything. But I had to make this decision, I am convinced of it. I have no more energy. I’m fine, but I can’t keep doing this job over and over again.“
In eight and a half years, Klopp led the “Reds” to the English championship title for the first time since 1990 in the 2019/20 season. A year earlier, Liverpool had already become Champions League winners under his leadership, and the club also became Club World Champions, Super Cup winners and national cup winners during his tenure. Klopp himself was named world coach in 2019 and 2020.
“The Normal One”
“For me, Liverpool FC is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I am very proud to be here. For me it is the perfect moment to be here“, said Klopp when he was introduced on October 9, 2015. After turning the traditional club back into a successful club, which is currently at the top of the Premier League table, he has now apparently found the perfect moment for himself Time to finish in Liverpool again.
As “The Normal One”, as he described himself at his first press conference, Klopp crowned his already successful coaching career. Before that, he became German champion twice with Borussia Dortmund in seven years (2008-2015) and led Mainz 05 into the Bundesliga for the first time in his first coaching position (2001-2008). The former defender ended his playing career there in 2001.
Back on the road to success, but with great stress
After a disappointing last season in which Klopp missed the Champions League for the first time since his first season in fifth place, he led Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League and has a chance of reaching all three possible cup finals. In the Carabao Cup there will be the final against Chelsea FC on February 25th, in the FA Cup the fourth round against Norwich City will take place on Sunday (January 28th, 2024) and in the Europa League the “Reds” will be in the Europa League after their victory Group stage in the round of 16.
The many chances of success are also the result of a high level of stress, which Klopp has been criticizing for years. The current coach is also currently plagued by major injury concerns. “We’ve had to deal with various issues and a lot of injuries throughout the season, which is just not good. You have to work with it and so far we have survived everything“Kloppo” said on Thursday (January 25th, 2024) in the press conference for the game against Norwich. “But now we are really on the edge, nothing can happen anymore. We have the same number of games left, we play all the time now.“For Klopp, it is the last time he will struggle through the final months of a season as Liverpool coach.