Jürgen Klopp believes that now is the ideal time for a new manager to step in at Liverpool and the only daunting task will be following in the footsteps of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
On Sunday, the two top managers of the current Premier League era will face each other in what could be their last match, with significant implications for the outcome of the title.
Liverpool’s strong performance in all four competitions this season has reignited their rivalry with City. City currently trails the league leaders by one point before their upcoming visit to Anfield. This has also sparked debates about whether Klopp’s decision to leave at this moment is a mistake. However, Klopp himself holds a contrary opinion. He believes that the team and the renewed support from the fanbase will offer a great chance for his successor to bring home more trophies.
Klopp responded to a question about whether taking over for him or Guardiola would be an impossible task, saying, “No, that is not true. I understand why people may think that, but everyone involved with this club knows that it is unique. The individuals here are special. They gave Bill Shankly a chance, and look at everything that has come after him. All of them are more significant than us. Ultimately, people will come to understand that this has been an incredible time, and we are all grateful for it.”
“It was quite a journey. However, I am completely certain that through trust and perseverance, anything is achievable. This team will undoubtedly attract top-tier managers. The next manager may introduce a different style of football, but they will certainly receive support from this dedicated fan base. I believe I joined at the perfect time, as things were starting to falter and perhaps I was able to remind everyone of the significance and value of our team.”
This club is unique, not because of its facilities – other clubs also have impressive stadiums – but because of its community. It’s all about the individuals involved. I strongly believe that this is the ideal time for a new manager, rather than a misguided one due to our failure to win everything. Going into Manchester City after Pep Guardiola, one would have to win the championship for 10 consecutive years to reach the same level of success.
Klopp concedes that the rivalry between him and Guardiola has motivated their teams to achieve unprecedented success, especially in regards to points earned. However, he states that narrowly missing out on two titles to City is not a regret that will linger.
The manager of Liverpool expressed, “The rivalry has produced some extraordinary moments. We have experienced both fortunate and unfortunate instances, and I am okay with that. Even though some moments could have changed the outcome, it doesn’t diminish the satisfaction of our achievements during that time.”
“The perspective of the outside world may differ greatly – it’s either a win or a loss. In the Premier League and Champions League, there is no second place. While reaching four Champions League finals may be a great feat, the outside world will only see the losses. They won’t remember it as a legacy – he lost three Champions League finals. Personally, I don’t place importance on things like this.”
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“I don’t label myself as a failure when I lose in finals, nor do I see myself as a victor because I have only won one. I simply strive to maximize every opportunity. While it was truly impressive to have close battles and accumulate 97 points, it is bittersweet not to have won the league. However, my perspective remains the same regardless of whether we have a trophy or not. The performance of the team was exceptional and it cannot be replicated frequently.”
Klopp acknowledges that his connection with Guardiola is founded on mutual respect. Despite the busy nature of their roles, they have found the time to support each other during tough times. This includes the loss of their mothers during the pandemic. After Klopp announced his unexpected departure, Guardiola reached out to him. However, the details of their conversation remain private. Klopp teases that there are secrets that people would love to uncover.
Source: theguardian.com
