Jurgen Klopp has stunned the football world by announcing that he will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.
“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 told the official Liverpool website.
“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.
A message to Liverpool supporters from Jürgen Klopp. pic.twitter.com/l7rtmxgOzt
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 26, 2024
“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.
“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.”
Assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, as well as elite development coach Vitor Matos will also leave their positions at the end of the season.
And in a separate announcement, Liverpool confirm that sporting director Jorg Schmadtke will depart the club following the culmination of the January transfer window.
Liverpool are currently leading the Premier League and are next in action in the league when they face Chelsea on Wednesday 31 January.
