JURGEN KLOPP admits there were “tears” when he told Liverpool’s staff and players that he’d be leaving at the end of the season.
The German announced his imminent Anfield departure on Thursday morning, much to the shock of the entire footie world.
Klopp informed Reds chiefs of his decision to step down last NOVEMBER, although players and staff only learned of his exit today.
And the Kop icon revealed there was a wave of emotion when he informed them that he’s moving on to pastures new.
He said: “I had some talks in the last days when I had to tell other people before the public.
“There were some tears. That’s normal when we were so long together.
“The club needs time to plan the future while we are in the present.”
Klopp’s decision to step down as Anfield chief is the result of burnout from his 24-year-long managerial career.
His name will no doubt creep on the wishlists of Premier League clubs in the future.
But in a show of loyalty to the Merseysiders, he’s vowed to NEVER manage in England again.
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When pressed on his next move, he said: “No club, no country for the next year.
“No other English club ever. Even if I have nothing to eat, it will not happen.”
Attention has already turned to who will replace Klopp in the Anfield dugout.
But unlike Sir Alex Ferguson when he left Manchester United in the summer of 2013, the German WON’T have any say on his successor.
He said: “No [say], why should I?
“In football, some people you don’t see often, you live this business and it looks like I do all the work but I don’t and I can’t.
“What we’ve built is an incredibly strong structure. It’s one of the reasons I can leave.”
Klopp transformed Liverpool from underachievers to Premier League and Champions League winners during his time at the helm of the Anfield ship.
But he insists Fenway Sports Group don’t need his input on the next man to steer the ship.
He said: “The last thing they need is advice from the old man walking out.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is the favourite to replace Klopp, who will go down as one of the club’s greatest-evermanagers.
But the Spaniard insists he’s currently more than happy at Bundesliga big boys Bayer Leverkusen.
He said: “I was surprised by Jurgen’s news. I have huge respect for Jurgen and Liverpool.
“At the moment I am really happy here and enjoying my work.
“Each day and game is a challenge.
“We are in an intense and beautiful journey here at Leverkusen.”
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 manager 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 another 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.
The Champions League-winning Reds legend added: “Speculation is normal.
“But I have great respect and admiration for what Jurgen has done at Liverpool in the last nine years, and how he’s done it.
“He has a connection with the fans, he’s done a great job.
“But my focus is here at Bayer Leverkusen.
“I have great motivation to do a good job here.
“I’m very happy with the team, with the club, with everything, so that’s my focus.
“My focus isn’t on May, it’s on tomorrow ahead of our game against Gladbach and helping my players to be ready.
“But what I will say is it was surprising what happened at Liverpool with Jurgen leaving.”
Alonso, however, refused to rule out the prospect of ever taking charge of the Reds.
“Honestly,” he said when asked about being in the Anfield dugout next season. “I don’t have a direct answer (laughs).
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.
“I’m happy here right now, that’s for sure, and only thinking about Leverkusen.”
Klopp’s decision to leave Merseysiders has caused shockwaves and left fans and pundits alike stunned.
Reds legend Jamie Carragher wrote on X: “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!”
Gary Lineker wrote: “Wow. Huge news. What an incredible job he’s done.
“A special The Rest Is Football podcast will be with you this afternoon.”
Klopp’s countryman Thomas Tuchel – who replaced him at Borussia Dortmund in 2015 – chimed in: “I have to digest that first.
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“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.”
Liverpool will be back in action on Sunday, welcoming Norwich City to Anfield for their FA Cup fourth-round tie.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
