Roy Keane gives honest verdict on Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool exit - "It's sad"

27 January 2024 , 10:54

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Roy Keane has given his thoughts on Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)

Roy Keane believes Jurgen Klopp has made the "right decision" in choosing to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.

Klopp informed Liverpool chiefs of his decision back in November, before making it public on Friday, explaining that he was simply "running out of energy" to do the job to the best of his abilities.

And Keane has now given his thoughts on the news, admitting Klopp will be "sadly missed" and has been "brilliant for the Premier League ". He told ITV : "I'm not really too concerned about the announcement, it's just I think it's sad he's leaving the game.

"I think he's been an amazing manager for Liverpool, a great character for the Premier League. But I think he's probably made the right decision if he thinks he needs to just have a break. He'll be sadly missed.

"I've enjoyed watching him and listening to him, I think he's been brilliant for the Premier League and no doubt he will be a huge loss. But I think he's made the right decision if he feels he needs that break."

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Klopp was left surprised when he was asked if he could reverse his decision between now and the end of the season in the same way Sir Alex Ferguson did back in 2002, when he had decided to quit as Manchester United boss before ultimately completing a U-turn.

"No!" Klopp said. "Alex Ferguson stepped down and then changed his mind? I didn't know that. I respect Alex a lot, but no. If I won everything this season, it wouldn't change my mind. I had to make the decision.

Keane believes Klopp has made the "right decision" (CameraSport via Getty Images)

"I thought it through properly. It's independent of any kind of result this season. The big one is I can see there is a really good basis for this team. That's why it's a good moment to give it to someone else."

Keane, who was United's captain at the time, believes there are no similarities between the two situations. "The timing is different," he explained. "The manager back at United did it at the start of the season and we were on the back of winning three titles in a row maybe that was some sort of dip.

"Subconsciously I thought it would've affected the dressing room at the time, we had experienced players, we thought we'd get on with it then he made the decision that he was coming back, we kind of just rolled with it."

Matthew Cooper