In those nine years, Klopp emerged as the best coach in the world in the 2018-19 and 2020 seasons. So the German coach could very well become a Sir Alex Ferguson or an Arsene Wenger for the Reds, since he could stay at the helm if he wanted to of the Merseyside team for two 10s.

The Scot stayed for 27 years at Manchester United, the French for 22 at Arsenal. Why not Klopp, who is adored by Liverpool fans. And of course his name and portrait has been placed alongside team legends Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish.

It easily could, especially with the levels of popularity it has. Nevertheless, anyone who read behind Klopp's words throughout his time in the English team realized (as much as he might not want to believe it) that the German would not stay at the port forever. “I want to travel around the world healthy and strong. Not being pushed around in a wheelchair or carrying a cane. That's why I don't want this job forever" he declared in July 2023, adding: "I will sit for a year outside the stadiums. I will travel. I will see new places and then wonder if I miss football. If the answer is no, then that will be the end of coach Jurgen Klopp."

Liverpool's players heard the news from Klopp himself on Friday morning (26/1), before the team video was released, while the club's management had been informed of Klopp's decision since November. But the first person to find out was of course Ulla, Klopp's (second) wife, who as he had admitted was one of the main reasons why he chose to renew his contract with Liverpool.

Klopp revealed the conversation he had with Ulla and the words he used to explain how he felt: "I tried to explain it with the following example: I'm like a sports car - not the best but good enough - that can still drive in 160, 170, 180 km but I'm the only one who sees the tank gauge drop. The outside world doesn't see that, so you go as far as you have to go, but then you need a break. In this case, you need to go to the gas station. This is exactly what I know I have to do"...

The "philosopher" as they call him in his home country of Germany, however, emphasized that he is in no hurry to say goodbye to Liverpool: "We will have our moment in the last game or some other time, in some other competition maybe. There is time for that. Now we have to stay focused on our obligations. Outsiders will want to use it, laugh at it, upset us.



But we are Liverpool, we have been through more difficult situations together, and before me. Let's take strength from it. It would be very beautiful. Let's take the best we can from this season and have another reason to smile when we look back on this last season in the future"….

Manos Staramopoulos

Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs

Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com

Athens (Greece)