by As with all high-profile managerial departures, the ultimate blame for Jurgen Klopp’s departure lies at the feet of the players.
The critical difference in Liverpool’s case is that he told them they were too good sooner than he thought. Time will tell if Klopp’s Anfield grand final decision is correct, but he no longer believes they need him as they did.
Klopp assembled his squad on the training ground shortly before 10.30am on Friday to deliver the news which he first delivered to Fenway Sports Group president Michael Gordon in November.
As is often the case with Klopp, the speech was part instinct, part pre-planned.
He told the players that it was only to leave Liverpool in a state of strength. If he thought more work was needed to return them to the position of title contenders or major trophy winners, a sense of unfinished business would have kept him in charge. There was a strong hint that he would have gone sooner had it not been for the turmoil last season.
Now Klopp is sure to leave a legacy to be proud of, rather than a new building project for his successor.
Klopp had his secret for two months. He is relieved to be out in the open. The strange timing can be explained because as soon as Klopp’s coaching staff knew and started making plans for their next hire, it was sure to leak.
The same can be said when Liverpool inevitably start calling the replacement of the manager they decide, assuming we have not already done so, even if the press conference had all the hallmarks of latest of Xabi Alonso choosing his prudent coach. words carefully.
The November conversation involved asking him if he would change his mind
There was no hint of Klopp calling up Gordon ahead of the Christmas schedule. He only asked for additional time to discuss an important matter at their next meeting. It was then that he told him that Liverpool will need a new coach in the summer of 2024.
Gordon asked if there was a chance he might change his mind.
When the answer was no, the executive who will lead the search for Klopp’s successor offered his thanks for the incredible work to rebuild Liverpool. Gordon knows very well that Klopp is a man of his word, even in this case it is the opposite of what the club wanted to hear.
Liverpool chief Billy Hogan showed the shock across the city as he sat alongside Klopp at a press conference on Friday. But within Fenway Sports Group, that doesn’t mean they’re completely surprised, or had no idea such a day would come.
When Klopp signed his final contract extension in 2022 – a four-year deal that was supposed to run until 2026 – he said he intended to see it through.
But the strength of his relationship with Gordon, chairman Tom Werner and principal owner John W Henry, part of his negotiations is an open dialogue in which Klopp would be honest enough to say when the time was right, independent of the year on that market. .
A long-term contract gives the manager and the club breathing space without putting the media or supporters on the timer for future talks.
Bulletproof from owners but last season took its toll
For those who believe there must be more to it – Klopp refuted some of the wild theories about lingering transfer frustration during a press conference on Friday – one wonders why the manager’s words about running out of gas and taking a break have not continued value.
Last season’s labors took their toll, especially when he was continually asked to give a detailed overview of what was inexplicable even to Klopp.
He misjudged the speed at which his midfield would sink. As a result, he expended more energy than intended trying to explain it publicly and then fix it.
Regardless of Klopp’s private opinions, he has a policy of not openly criticizing the performances of his players. He took more of the blame for the team’s failure to finish in the top four than he and others had imagined – even if he had the inner support of the board and an abiding love of the Kop.
What Klopp also discovered during that period was that no matter how bad Liverpool’s performance was, it was bulletproof for the owners and supporters. Sacking him was not on the agenda. The only way Klopp could leave Liverpool was on his own terms.
That sounds like the ultimate blessing. In a world where Jose Mourinho’s £80 million retirement payout might as well be considered a curse.
Where failed managers are given the back door, Klopp was in front of the house explaining that those tiresome press conferences are the least thing he misses when he takes at least a year off.
Just like Bill Shankly in 1974 and Kenny Dalglish in 1991, there were no obvious clues about this announcement. Not off the field, at least.
And yet, maybe it was. Ask those closest to Klopp about his management style this season and they have noticed a difference.
There was a greater willingness to take risks with team selections and substitutes; even more eager for the players of the Blood Academy, and on the training ground heard someone say a few days ago ‘he is managing as it is his last year’ although they were happy we did not know how accurate the observation was.
Klopp’s biggest concern when he informed the squad he was leaving was that his words could sap the energy from his group, although he insisted he is “all in”. for the rest of this season.
Moments after they finished training, Klopp walked past the dressing room to what he feared was silence. Instead, he heard loud voices speaking of his determination to make this a season to remember.
Klopp’s work at Liverpool isn’t quite done yet, but at that moment he was even more certain that he has covered enough of the hard yards to ensure the long haul will be a joyous race in search of more emotional celebrations.
