Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during a Premier League match. (Getty Images)
- It was announced on Friday that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will step down at the end of the season.
- Klopp, 56, was appointed Reds manager in October 2015, with a contract set to run until 2026.
- In the 2019-20 season, he led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years, and won the Champions League the previous season.
- For more sports news, visit the News24 Sport front page.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp announced on Friday his shocking decision to leave the club at the end of the season, citing a “lack of energy”.
Klopp, who has led Liverpool back to being one of the powerhouses in European football since taking over at Anfield in 2015, said the decision to leave was a “decision that had to be made”.
The German led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years in 2020 and Champions League glory in 2019.
Liverpool are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and the 56-year-old will be hoping to go even further by winning the title again.
“At this moment, it's understandable that many people are shocked when they hear these words for the first time,” Klopp said in an interview on Liverpool's website.
“I love everything about this club. I love everything about the city. I love everything about the supporters. I love the team. I love the staff. I love everything. But still, this… Making a decision shows that I'm confident.'' That's what I have to take.
“What can I say, I'm running out of energy. There's nothing wrong with it now, of course I've known for a long time that I would have to make an announcement someday, but I'm totally okay with it now.
“We know we can't do that job over and over again.”
Klopp said the decision was made in November, when discussions began with the club about the possibility of signing him for next season.
After years of battling Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and reaching the final stages of the Champions League, Liverpool struggled to reach their usual standards under Klopp in the 2022/23 season.
They finished fifth in the Premier League and were eliminated in the last 16 of the Champions League, losing 5-2 to Real Madrid at Anfield.
But Klopp said it was important that his rejuvenated side did not leave with such a bitter feeling as they competed for four trophies for the remainder of their reign.
Liverpool progressed to the League Cup final on Wednesday and will face Chelsea in next month's final.
The Reds face Norwich in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League.
“Let's squeeze everything out of this season so that when we look back in the future, we can have a different smile.” Jurgen's important message to you.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 26, 2024
“Deep gratitude”
Looking back on his impact on Liverpool, Klopp said: “For me, it was very, very, very important that I could help this team get back on track. That's all I was thinking about.
“Quite early on, when I realized something like this happened, this team was a really good team with huge potential and super age range, super characters, etc. I was able to start thinking about it again and that's what it turned out to be. That's not what I want (to do), which I think is 100 percent correct. ”
Klopp's backroom staff will also leave at the end of the season, with assistant Pep Lijnders keen to pursue his own managerial career.
US-based Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which owns Liverpool, paid tribute to Klopp and said work on finding a replacement would begin immediately.
FSG President Mike Gordon said: “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Jurgen.''
“Obviously, we are very sad to lose not only such a great coach, but also a man and leader for whom we have so much respect, gratitude and love.
“At the same time, we fully respect his wishes and his reasons for deciding that this season will be his last at Liverpool.”
Under his management, Liverpool lifted the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup, as well as the FA Community Shield.
Klopp has said in the past that he would like to become the manager of the German national team.