Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp explains exit in shock announcement to fans
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has announced that he will be leaving the role in a shock announcement which really underlines that every great era in football comes to an end eventually.
Assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz will also be following Klopp out of the door, while development coach Vitor Matos is leaving the club too.
Liverpool announced the manager's departure and released a video where Klopp explained his reason for leaving the club, while acknowledging that the news will have been a huge shock for fans of the club.
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The 56-year-old said: "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.
"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."
Klopp continued by saying that his reason for leaving was 'running out of energy', and said he informed Liverpool bosses of his decision to leave back in November.
He said: "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."
Klopp stressed that his decision was not due to any health issues, but when he was planning for a new season and potential summer signings he had the thought 'I am not sure I am here then any more'.
That thought grew, but he was comforted by getting the team into a good place after a difficult last season and he could 'start thinking about myself again'.
The departure of Klopp will be a devastating blow for Liverpool fans, who have very much enjoyed their time with him in charge.
During his time as manager Liverpool have won one each of the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Klopp gained a reputation for being a big personality in the league, and even fans of other clubs can't fail to have noticed his very public displays of emotion on the touchline.
Whether it's celebrating with his players, shouting at ball boys, complaining about the wind or taking aim at the number of 12:30pm Saturday kick-offs Liverpool have had to contend with, Klopp is definitely going to be missed by the Anfield crowd.
Even those somewhat inclined to wonder if Liverpool will struggle in his absence might find that they ultimately come to miss him in the end.
At the moment of Klopp's announcement that he's leaving Liverpool are top of the Premier League and five points clear of both Manchester City and Arsenal, though City have a game in hand to help close the gap.
Klopp's departure at the end of the season will bring the number of Premier League managers with the middle-name Norbert down to zero, it truly is a momentous shock for football fans.
Joe Harker