JURGEN KLOPP is sensationally ready to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
The German took over at Anfield in October 2015 but has now decided to end his Liverpool career.
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Jurgen Klopp will step down at the end of the season
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Klopp guided Liverpool to their sixth Champions League title in 2019. Credit: Getty
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He also won the League Cup and FA Cup double in 2022. Credit: AFP
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Klopp took over as Liverpool manager in October 2015. Credit: Reuters
Klopp has won the Premier League and the Champions League with the Reds and is currently top of the Premier League table.
But he discovered that his strength was running out and that he could not continue his work year after year.
Klopp explained his decision to leave in an emotional interview in which he shared his love for the club, the fans and the city.
He said: “I can understand that it’s a shock to a lot of people at the 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 fans, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But the fact that I’m still making this decision shows you that I’m convinced that it’s the one I have to make.
“It’s about the fact that, how can I say it, I’m running out of strength. I’m fine now, obviously, I’ve known for a while that I’d have to post it at some point, but I’m fine now. I know I can’t do the job over and over and over and over.
“After the years we’ve spent together and after all the time we’ve spent together and after everything we’ve been through together, respect has grown for you, love has grown for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that’s the truth.”
Klopp informed Liverpool’s owners of his intention to quit in November.
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He won five major trophies with the RedsCredit: Getty
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Liverpool won their first league title in 30 years under German Credit: EPA
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Klopp’s wife Ulla previously convinced him to stay at LiverpoolCredit: Rex
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Liverpool are looking for their next manager
By Chisang Malat
LIVERPOOL are on the hunt for a new manager following the shock revelation that Jurgen Klopp is to leave the club.
The German dropped the bombshell news on Friday morning, leaving Kopites worldwide stunned.
Fans’ attention is now focused on who will replace the iconic German at Anfield.
And SunSport is on hand with five prominent candidates to succeed the club’s soon-to-be former iconic manager.
Xabi Alonso
The former Reds midfielder is the favorite to replace Klopp after a brilliant one-and-a-half season in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso has a 64 percent win rate for the Bundesliga side, which he led to sixth place and the Europa League last season.
Roberto De Zerbi
The Italian has been a revelation for Brighton since replacing Graham Potter at the Amex in September 2022.
Brighton finished sixth last season, just five points behind Liverpool.
Jose Mourinho
The former Chelsea and Manchester United man is currently a free agent after being released by Italian giants Roma this month.
Mourinho has had a turbulent history with the club in the past, but he would be the perfect man to bring in if the Reds’ management are looking to bring in a big-name manager.
Unai Emery
The Spaniard has well and truly recovered from a disastrous spell with Arsenal at Villa Park.
Emery guided Aston Villa to seventh place last season, a feat they are on course to improve on as they currently sit fourth in the Premier League table.
Steven Gerrard
The Reds icon has been touted as the club’s future manager since hanging up his boots.
However, his unhappy stint at Aston Villa could delay the club from making an emotional managerial return to Anfield.
On top of that, the former England international has just signed a new contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.
His decision comes just 18 months after Klopp reversed his decision to leave the club after his wife Ulla convinced him to stay at Anfield.
Klopp signed a four-year deal instead, but realized he was unlikely to stay for next season when he discussed summer plans with club chiefs.
He continued: “I told the club already in November. I have to explain a little bit that maybe people see the work I do from the outside, I’m on the line of contact and in training and similar things, but most everything happens around these kinds of things.
“It means that the season starts and you are already planning for the next season.
“When we were sitting there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and where we could go, the thought came up, ‘I’m not sure I’m here anymore’ and I was surprised by that myself. Obviously I started thinking about it.
“It hasn’t started [then], but of course last season was kind of a super-tough season and there were times when at other clubs the decision would probably have been, ‘Come on, thank you very much for everything, but we should probably part ways here or finish here.’ That clearly didn’t happen here.
“It was super, super, super important for me to be able to help get this team back on track. That’s all I thought about.
“When I realized quite early on that it happened, it’s a really good team with huge potential and a great age group, great characters and all that, then I was able to start thinking about myself again and that was the outcome.
“That’s not what I want [do]that’s what I think is 100 percent true.”
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Only the Europa League is missing for Klopp
Xabi Alonso is the favorite to take over
Author: Dan King
XABI ALONSO ticks almost all the boxes to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, and if Bayer Leverkusen don’t let their lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip away, it will be overwhelming for him to do so.
The former Kop idol knows the club inside out after five seasons at Anfield and has made no secret of his enduring affection.
Alonso has already earned a reputation as an innovative coach who plays with an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
He took Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to seven points clear at the top, setting them on course to be crowned German champions for the first time in their 120-year history.
It is worth remembering that both Rafa Benitez and Klopp arrived at Anfield with proof that they can dethrone the clubs that dominated their respective leagues.
For Alonso to do the same, in only his second season as a top manager, would mark him as something special.
It is this lack of long-term experience that would make his appointment as Klopp’s replacement a gamble.
But otherwise, he looks like the perfect candidate as Liverpool are forced to plan for the future without the man who made them champions of England, Europe and the world.
Klopp’s decision came as a shock, leaving fans and pundits stunned.
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher reacted by saying: “This news has always been a huge blow to the club whenever it comes out.
“I just thought it would be a few more years.
“What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”
While Gary Lineker said: “Wow. Massive news. What an amazing job he has done. A special The Rest Is Football podcast will be with you this afternoon.”
Compatriot Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Klopp as Borussia Dortmund manager in 2015, added: “I have to digest it first.
“Kloppo is one of the best coaches in the world, he always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. That’s big news.”
TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods also shared her shock, tweeting: “Wowwww. I don’t even support Liverpool and I’m upset!”
He oversaw Liverpool’s first league win in 30 years in 2020 – a year after leading the Reds to Champions League glory.
The German also guided Liverpool to a cup double in 2022, beating Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals on penalties.
Klopp’s first final in charge of Liverpool was a Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City in 2016, and the Reds also lost to Sevilla in the Europa League final the same year.
But he still has the chance to add more silverware to Liverpool’s trophy case with his side top of the table and five points clear of second-placed City.
Liverpool are also still in three cup competitions after reaching the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday.
The Reds are now on the hunt for Klopp’s successor, with former midfielder Xabi Alonso the favorite to take over.
Alonso has impressed in his first managerial job at Bayer Leverkusen, guiding his side to the top of the Bundesliga this season without losing a game.
However, he played down talk linking him with the Liverpool job, saying: “Speculation is normal, my focus here is on Bayer Leverkusen”.
“I am very happy in Leverkusen with my players at the moment.
“A big surprise at Liverpool, of course – I have great respect and admiration for what Jürgen has done at Liverpool.”
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Source: HIS Education