On Thursday, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp announced his decision to leave his managerial position with the Reds. The German’s departure will mark an end to his eight-and-a-half-year managerial reign at Anfield.
Klopp detailed the rationale and timing behind the announcement, highlighting the importance of providing clarity as soon as possible to facilitate a smooth transition.
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique spoke with the media on Saturday and was asked to share his thoughts on Klopp leaving the Premier League club. The Spanish tactician notes that he understands the 56-year-old’s decision of wanting to step back from football and needing a break.
“Jürgen Klopp is, according to the personal relationships I had with him, a very open, very friendly person,” Enrique told reporters at his press conference (h/t Culture PSG). “And as a football coach, he knows his job very well and has achieved exceptional results. He himself feels that he is running out of energy. After nine years [of coaching Liverpool], you can understand that it takes a lot. It’s a shame because he leaves after very good results.
“We coaches are overexposed in the media, always in the front line of fire, especially when the results are bad, and that can exhaust us and drain us. Sometimes coaches need a break too. In his case, I think after nine years at Liverpool, he needs to recharge his batteries to take on another challenge at another club.”
Klopp has won all of the majors at Liverpool and likely intends to add to the seven major honors he has won with Liverpool before he bows out. The former Borussia Dortmund manager has the team fighting on all three domestic fronts – plus the UEFA Europa League.
