JURGEN KLOPP is sensationally set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
The German took over at Anfield in October 2015 but he has now decided to call time on his Liverpool career.
Klopp has won the Premier League and Champions League with the Reds and is currently top of the Prem table.
But he revealed he is running out of energy and cannot continue in the job year after year.
Klopp explained his decision to step down 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 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.
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“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.
“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 informed Liverpool’s owners of his intention to quit in November.
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Liverpool next manager hunt
By Chisanga Malata
LIVERPOOL are on the hunt for a new manager following the shock revelation that Jurgen Klopp will leave the club.
The German dropped the bombshell news on Friday morning, leaving Kopites around the world stunned.
Fans’ attentions have now turned to who will replace the iconic German in the Anfield dugout.
And SunSport is on hand with the five standout candidates to succeed the club’s soon-to-be former iconic manager.
Xabi Alonso
The former Reds midfielder is the favourite to replace Klopp after a stellar one-and-a-half seasons in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso has a 64 per cent win ratio for the Bundesliga outfit, who he guided to a sixth-placed finish and Europa League football 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 in sixth place last season, a mere five points behind Liverpool.
Jose Mourinho
The former Chelsea and Manchester United is currently a free agent after being axed by Italian giants Roma this month.
Mourinho has had a fiery history with the club in the past, but he’d be the perfect man to bring in if the Reds brass want to bring in a big-name manager.
Unai Emery
The Spaniard has well and truly bounced back from a disastrous spell with Arsenal at Villa Park.
Emery guided Aston Villa to a seventh-placed finish last season, a feat they’re on course to better as they’re currently fourth in the Premier League table.
Steven Gerrard
The Reds icon has been touted as a future manager of the club ever since he hung up his playing boots.
His ill-fated spell at Aston Villa, however, may put the club off from an emotional managerial Anfield return.
And on top of that, the former England man has just signed a new contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.
His decision comes just 18 months after Klopp U-turned on his decision to quit the club after being convinced to stay at Anfield by his wife Ulla.
Klopp signed a four-year deal instead but realised he was unlikely to stick around for next season when discussing summer plans with club chiefs.
He continued: “I told the club already in November. I have to explain a little bit that maybe the job I do people see from the outside, I’m on the touchline and in training sessions and stuff like this, but the majority of all the things happen around these kind of things.
“That means a season starts and you plan pretty much the next season already.
“When we sat there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and can we go wherever, the thought came up, ‘I am not sure I am here then anymore’ and I was surprised myself by that. I obviously start thinking about it.
“It didn’t start [then], but of course last season was kind of a super-difficult season and there were moments when at other clubs probably the decision would have been, ‘Come on, thank you very much for everything but probably we should split here, or end it here.’ That didn’t happen here, obviously.
“For me it was super, super, super-important that I can help to bring this team back onto the rails. It was all I was thinking about.
“When I realised pretty early that happened, it’s a really good team with massive potential and a super age group, super characters and all that, then I could start thinking about myself again and that was the outcome.
“It is not what I want to [do], it is just what I think is 100 per cent right.”
Xabi Alonso is the favourite to take over
By Dan King
XABI ALONSO ticks almost every box to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, and if Bayer Leverkusen don’t let their lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip the case for him to do so will be irresistible.
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 forged a reputation as an innovative coach playing an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
He has taken Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to seven-points clear at the top, putting them on course to be crowned German champions for the first time in their 120-year history.
It’s worth remembering that both Rafa Benitez and Klopp arrived at Anfield with proof they could dethrone clubs who dominated their leagues.
For Alonso to do the same, in only his second season as a top-flight manager, would mark him out as something special.
It is that lack of long-term experience that would still make appointing him to replace Klopp a gamble.
But otherwise, he looks like the perfect candidate as Liverpool are forced to plan a future without the man who made them champions of England, Europe and the world.
Klopp’s decision has caused shockwaves with fans and pundits alike left stunned.
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher reacted saying: “This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it came.
“I just thought it would be another few years away.
“What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”
While Gary Lineker said: “Wow. Huge news. What an incredible job he’s done. A special The Rest Is Football podcast will be with you this afternoon.”
Compatriot Thomas Tuchel, who replaced Klopp as manager of Borussia Dortmund in 2015, added: “I have to digest that first.
“Kloppo is one of the very best coaches in the world, he has always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. It’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 led Liverpool to a cup double in 2022, beating Chelsea in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup final on penalties.
Klopp’s first final in charge of Liverpool was the 2016 Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City, with the Reds also losing to Sevilla in the Europa League final the same year.
But he still has a chance to add more silverware to Liverpool’s trophy cabinet with his side top of the table and five points clear of second-placed City.
Liverpool are also still in three cup competitions after progressing to the Carabao Cup final on Wednesday.
The Reds are now on the search for a successor to Klopp, with former midfielder Xabi Alonso firm favourite to take over.
Alonso has impressed in his first managerial job at Bayer Leverkusen, taking his side to the Bundesliga summit this season without losing a game.
However he has played down talk linking him with the Liverpool job, saying: “Speculation is normal, my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen”.
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“I am very happy at Leverkusen with my players at the moment.
“Big surprise in Liverpool, of course — for what Jürgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
