Jurgen Klopp says he will miss some aspects of life as Liverpool manager but insists he is content with his decision to walk away from Anfield at the end of the season.
The 56-year-old German will draw the curtain on his illustrious reign as Reds boss later this month, nearly nine years after he replaced Brendan Rodgers in October 2015.
Since announcing his decision to step down nearly four months ago, Klopp has guided Liverpool to a thrilling Carabao Cup success over Chelsea and Sunday’s 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield – courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott – ensured that the Reds will finish this season in the Premier League’s top three.
READ MORE: What Liverpool supporters did on the Kop makes Mohamed Salah point as transfer decision nears
READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings as Mohamed Salah excellent but one better in Tottenham win
However, the Liverpool boss, who is set to be replaced by Feyenoord’s Arne Slot – reiterated that he is satisfied with his decision to walk away from Anfield in less than two weeks’ time and revealed the aspects of life in the dugout that have taken their toll on him in a glittering career across England and Germany.
“Since it’s clear that I will finish and with other clubs looking for managers and you hear what a manager needs to do and needs to have, I always ask myself ‘Did I have all that when I arrived here?’ It has to fit and I think we were all lucky,” said Klopp after Sunday’s win at Anfield.
“It was a win-win situation from the first day. I enjoyed each second of it, it’s absolutely great. All the responsibility and love that grew over the years is a big part of the decision I made, so I’m absolutely fine and at peace with the decision.
“I didn’t think it was too difficult, to be honest. This [media] is very difficult most of the time. It is very draining when you always have to talk and explain things and most of it you can’t explain.
“When you’re winning it’s fine because then you can speak about individuals, fantastic performance and stuff like this but we cannot do the same when we are losing. You can’t single out a player and say he was particularly bad so let’s talk about that for the next 10 minutes, so that cuts off 50, 60, 70 per cent of the things you can say – but and you’re still asking! That part is a lot.
“Actually being the manager of Liverpool; the pure football side, coaching the team, doing the stuff we do, growing together as a unit, I love that part. I’m not the right man to do that anymore. But what is really hard is you, the outside world.
“I’m not an outside person. Until today, I don’t understand why people wanted an autograph from me but it happens quite frequently. That’s all things I need to stop at one point. Just going home and sitting down for a moment and seeing how that feels. People ask me ‘Will I miss it?’ Probably, but I don’t know. I never had it. So that’s all fine.”
Asked what his successor will need for a successful Anfield career, Klopp replied: “I think understand a little bit of football, that’s my skill. I love people, especially football players. So from that point of view, it wasn’t difficult. I enjoyed it a lot.”
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
