Football: Jurgen Klopp announces departure from Liverpool

New Delhi: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on Friday announced his departure from the club at the end of the 2023-24 season. Klopp, 56, made his announcement in a video on Liverpool’s social media channels. The German head coach joined Liverpool in 2015 and has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup with the Merseyside club.

“I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people at this moment when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it -– or at least try to explain it,” Klopp said in a video posted on Liverpool FC ‘X’ page.

“I love absolutely everything about this club,” Klopp confessed, his eyes reflecting the passion that had endeared him to the Liverpool faithful. “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.”

The revelation that Klopp was “running out of energy” sent shockwaves through the footballing world. His tenure had been marked by exhilarating highs -– a Premier League title, a Champions League triumph, and domestic cup successes -– but the relentless demands of modern football had taken their toll on the spirited manager.

“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew for longer that I would 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.”

The departure of Jurgen Klopp marks the end of an extraordinary era, but it also heralds the dawn of a new chapter in the club’s rich history. The words “You’ll Never Walk Alone” will echo in the hearts of fans, a timeless reminder that, though managers may come and go, the spirit of Liverpool endures, undiminished and resolute. – IANS