LIVERPOOL FC is now undergoing an unexpected succession planning process after the shock news that manager Jurgen Klopp is to leave the club at the end of this season.
The German is contracted at Anfield until 2026 but has informed the board that he wants to step down early in order to live “a normal life”.
The Reds are flying high at the top of the Premier League, and reached the Carabao Cup final in midweek by edging past Fulham, but Klopp’s imminent departure is a serious setback.
There are echoes of Kenny Dalglish’s exit as Liverpool boss in 1991, after which the Reds struggled for decades to get back to the top of the English game.
The 56-year-old Klopp has raised standards immensely at the club in just over eight years in charge, since succeeding Brendan Rodgers in 2015.
Notably he ended a 30-year-wait to win the Premier League title – as he had promised to do when he arrived – romping to success despite that 2019/20 season being delayed by the Covid pandemic.
Klopp also led the Reds to their sixth European Cup/Champions League triumph, with victory over Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, and reached two more finals, losing both to Real Madrid, in 2018 and 2022.
Our assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, as well as elite development coach Vitor Matos, will also vacate their positions at the end of the season.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 26, 2024
Klopp has made Liverpool the chief challengers to the dominance in England of Manchester City despite not having the financial muscle that the Etihad outfit has long been able to flex.
The challenge now for the club will be to find the right man to maintain the incredible work done by Klopp.
Former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso, currently leading the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, will be the obvious name put forward. Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi may also be in contention to succeed Klopp.
The German ‘got’ the club and its supporters, building up a close relationship with the fans, who will be devastated by this news.
Klopp will leave Liverpool in a great place, whether or not that’s as League champions again. They will surely be back in the Champions League next season.
Whoever comes after Klopp will have an immensely hard act to follow.