26 January 2024 , 18:27
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Jurgen Klopp has insisted that he will not change his mind and backtrack on his decision to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.
Klopp made the shock announcement on Friday morning in a video message to fans before holding a press conference in the afternoon to answer questions. The German has been in position at Liverpool since taking over in October 2015 and is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League – and the third in the whole Football League.
The 56-year-old made the decision because he doesn’t feel he can continue to give his best to the club anymore, following years of hard work, stress and toil. The news was accepted by those inside the club, but some Liverpool fans turned up at the club’s AXA Training Centre to try and convince him to stay.
Photographs taken after the press conference showed Klopp speaking to the passionate fans and signing autographs. He even signed one banner which was made by a young supporter and read: “Klopp please stay!” in big letters on it.
Despite his politeness with those who made the trip to Liverpool’s training ground, Klopp has no intention of changing his mind. During his press conference, Klopp was given the example of Sir Alex Ferguson, who U-turned on a decision to retire as Manchester United manager at the end of the 2001/02 season and ended up lasting until May 2013.
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Jurgen Klopp stopped to give out autographs to fans after announcing he was leaving (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)"No. Alex Ferguson did that?" a surprised Klopp responded. "No, nothing [will make me change my mind]. I respect Alex a lot and I don't know what drove him. I really thought a lot about it, and because of our relationship – mine with the club – the situation is always clear.
"I want everything this season and it wouldn't change my mind and if we don't win anything it wouldn't change my mind. It's a decision I made independent of any kind of results.
Jurgen Klopp was in a good mood as he chatted with fans (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
He stopped to sign autographs before heading off (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)HAVE YOUR SAY! What will Jurgen Klopp's legacy be at Liverpool? Comment below.
"A big one is the potential of the team. I really see it is a really good basis, not more, we are not better than other teams or whatever, but we have a good basis to work with and that's really important. That's why it is a good moment to give it to someone else.
"This team is set up for the future. When I said Liverpool 2.0 that didn't include me obviously for the next 10 years but the team is there, the basis is there. Whoever comes in cannot give anybody a guarantee to win trophies but can give a good chance to play really good football. That's fine.
"They will get a top manager here, there will be good football. What we all learned and improved and did in the last few years, changing from doubters to believers and staying believing in difficult moments, if we keep all that, then it is a wonderful future ahead. That is all I want and I don't want to be the passenger who is disturbing that process."