Klopp does not help Liverpool find a successor

Coach Jurgen Klopp confirmed that he will not change his decision for the rest of the season and will not help Liverpool choose his successor at Anfield.

On the afternoon of January 26, a few hours after announcing his departure from Liverpool at the end of the 2023-2024 season, Klopp attended a press conference before the match against Norwich in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Here, the German coach was reminded that Sir Alex Ferguson had changed his decision to retire at the end of the 2001-2002 season and continued to lead Man Utd until 2013 at the age of 71.

When asked about the possibility of changing his decision like Ferguson, Klopp replied: "Did Ferguson do that? No, nothing would make me change my decision. I respect Ferguson and I don't know what made him change his mind before. I really thought a lot about leaving Liverpool, because of my relationship with the club."

Coach Jurgen Klopp at a press conference at Liverpool's AXA training center on January 26, 2024. Photo: AP

The German coach insisted that the team's results and performances from now until the end of the season will not affect his decision. "Even if Liverpool go empty-handed this season, I will not change my mind," Klopp said. "The most important thing is the potential of the team. I really see the team has a good system now. We are not stronger than other teams, but we have a good foundation to work on and that is really important. So it is a good time to give the job to others."

The 56-year-old coach once again confirmed that he will not work at the national team or club level for the next year, and will not return to the Premier League to work. "What the future will be, I don't know at the moment. But I will never lead another English club," Klopp expressed. "I can promise that. Even if I have nothing to eat. But that will not happen, because of the great time at Liverpool."

Despite his influence at Liverpool, Klopp insists he will not interfere in the board's decision to appoint a new manager. "Why would I?" the 56-year-old said with a shrug. "The last thing they need is advice from an old man who is about to leave the club. I have an opinion on most things, but I don't always say it and I have no problem with that. I am still at Liverpool until the end of the season and will help them achieve the best results possible."

On January 26, Klopp announced that he would leave Liverpool after the 2023-2024 season ended because he was running out of energy and affirmed that he would not lead any other club in the Premier League. The decision was made in the middle of the season, but the German coach believes that this will not affect the team in the remaining season.

"I feel relieved to have made the decision," Klopp said. "Today was a mixed feeling. It was important to tell the fans and to tell the players. The reaction from the players was very professional. We have worked together for a long time."

When asked about the players' reaction, Klopp revealed: "We have a really strong relationship, but they haven't asked any questions yet. We have a really strong bond and are very professional. From the beginning of the season, the agreement with the players was that I would work for a year. We are still in that year and the players are in a really good mood. It's not like they threw a party when I announced I was leaving, they still went out to train as normal. It's different from a sacked manager who just met the players and said goodbye."

Hong Duy

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