Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool – Best quotes from his press conference after shock news

Updated 26/01/2024 at 16:43 GMT

Jurgen Klopp addresses the media after revealing in a shock announcement that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the current season after nine years at the club. The German has overseen a period of great success at Anfield including winning both the Premier League and Champions League, as well as both domestic cups, the Community Shield, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.

'I have all the time in the world' - How Klopp changed Liverpool after arriving in 2015

16:00 – Thanks for joining us this afternoon

Has certainly been an emotional few hours for Liverpool fans, but Klopp can't let emotion distract him with four months left of the season and four major trophies up for grabs. Who is to say Liverpool can't win the lot? They'll certainly not think it is beyond the club's burgeoning talent pool or their inspirational manager, an "honorary Scouser" in his own words, who will not be managing another English club in the years ahead.

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15:55 – Klopp's Liverpool continue Premier League title bid live on TNT Sports

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15:50 – Liverpool CEO on finding Klopp's successor

"We'll go through the same process that brought us Jurgen almost nine years ago," said Billy Hogan. "We will do the process in private with, as Jurgen said, the ownership and when we have further news we can discuss it but it won't be a running commentary. At this club we prefer to operate on only speaking when we know. We won't get into the name game. This is an announcement we and Jurgen are making. And after talking, we're focusing on the campaign and competing on four fronts to make the 2023/24 campaign one supporters can look back on with enjoyment."

15:45 – Klopp on what his future holds beyond Liverpool

"I didn't think about that. I will find things. Nobody has to worry about that," he said before saying "thank you" and departing the media conference.

And his message to the Liverpool fans?

"I hope you can accept the decision. I'm not in the mood for saying thank you and will do that. These things will happen. But now it's the rest of the season. We know the outside world want it to be a distraction, but it's all about us. Everything is clear."

Barclays Premier League, Liverpool v Manchester City, Anfield, Liverpool fans display a scarf in the stands with the words You'll Never Walk Alone as they take part in a minute's silence in memory of the HIllsborough disaster

Image credit: Getty Images

15:40 – Liverpool CEO Hogan on Klopp being compared to Anfield icons Bill Shankly and Kenny Dalglish

"I can understand the impact and the shock," he said. "We will have the right time and opportunity to look back, and talk about his career. The ride we have been on has been extraordinary. The relationships that have been created, the team that has been built has been a massive credit to him. His impact has been enormous. It has been an incredible eight plus years."

Bill Shankly statue in front of the Liverpool stadium

Image credit: Getty Images

15:35 – Klopp on achievement of 'being an honorary Scouser'

"It is intense. I had no clue what to expect. I knew about the size of the club. This is the best club in the world, it's outstanding. Being an honorary Scouser is one of the best things I could ever have achieved in my life. But I'm not in a mood for a recap. My main concern is Norwich [in the FA Cup] after we leave this room."

15:30 – Klopp: 'Nothing will change my mind'

Jurgen is asked if winning the Premier League or more trophy success could make him alter his decision?

"No, nothing. If I won everything this season, it wouldn't change my mind. I had to make the decision. I thought it through properly. It's independent of any kind of result this season. The big one is I can see there is a really good basis for this team. That's why it's a good moment to give it to someone else."

Jürgen Klopp arrives as Liverpool manager

Image credit: Getty Images

15:25 – Klopp: 'Liverpool owners did it properly'

"It would be easy in this job to blame the owners and say they should spend more. Was I always happy with that? No, but they built two stands. This training centre for the next 40/50 years, we did it properly, the LFC way, which I love. That we didn't win Champions League, Premier Leagues. Is not down to money. That we got 97 points and 94 points and didn't win the league or didn't win more Champions Leagues, it wasn't down to signing one player. If you want to blame anyone, blame me. Having a team that could do all that was exceptional."

Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on December 23, 2023 in Liverpool, England

Image credit: Getty Images

15:20 – Klopp: 'Energy levels not endless'

"I am who I am, and where I am because of how I am. If I can't do it anymore then tell the people I stop. It wasn't my idea when I signed a new contract, I was 100% convinced we would go to 2026. I underestimated my energy levels as being endless. It always was. Now it's not."

15:15 – Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan on Klopp exit

Jurgen Klopp

Image credit: Getty Images

"It's hard to put into words how significant it is," said Hogan. "When Jurgen joined us, he talked about leaving the club in a better place than he found it. There's no doubt that he has done that. The news is sad, and I'm sure a lot of our supporters share that emotion. We have worked alongside each other for the last nine years, and I knew this was a decision he had come to and believed in. When your colleague and friend comes to a decision like that, you have to respect it."

15:10 – Klopp on helping club source replacement

"So many people work here to find the perfect solution for Liverpool. Which I'm sure they will. The last thing they need is advice from the old man walking out. For most things, I have an opinion. I wish Liverpool all the very, very best for the future and for now I hope to achieve the very best possible for the club."

15:05 – Klopp on decision to leave

"The club needs time to plan the future, while we are sorting the present."

15:00 – Klopp addresses packed media conference

"With all the responsibility you have in your job, you have to be on top of your game," said Klopp. "I've been doing this for 24 years now. To arrive at Liverpool, it's because I've invested everything I've had. I've realised my resources are not endless. Put everything into this season, and then have a rest at my age. We are not young rabbits anymore. This club needs a manager on top of his game, and at the top level. I still think it is the right thing to do. I'm convinced it is right."

14:55 – Life goes on for Liverpool players amid Klopp news

14:50 – Steve McManaman exclusive: Jurgen Klopp up there with all-time Liverpool greats, Xabi Alonso now 'top of the list'

Steve McManaman paid tribute to Jurgen Klopp for his incredible job at Anfield and ranked the German alongside the likes of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish in a list of the club's greatest-ever managers. He also addressed the inevitable speculation linking current Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso to the job. Alonso is the favourite to take the job once Klopp departs. Read more here

14:45 – Klopp, Fergie or Wenger, who gets your vote?

14:40 – Klopp addresses the world's media at 3pm

We have been building up towards the 3pm media conference as Klopp discusses the reasons behind his decision to leave the Anfield manager's job at the end of the season. We continue to have all the latest updates and reaction to Klopp's decision to quit after eight-and-a-half glorious years at the helm of the six-time European champions.

14:35 – 'I have all the time in the world' - How Jurgen Klopp changed Liverpool after arriving in 2015

'I have all the time in the world' - How Klopp changed Liverpool after arriving in 2015

14:30 – Michael Owen on the great memories of Klopp era

14:25 – Klopp is a true Premier League giant

Can he leave with another Premier League title? That would be the perfect farewell after nine years in charge.

14:20 – Klopp's derby domination against Everton

The Liverpool manager has lost only once to Everton since 2015, winning 11 times in 18 matches and drawing six against their local rivals, the latest victory coming in a 2-0 victory in October. The solitary defeat came three years ago in a 2-0 loss at Anfield during the pandemic.

14:15 – Liverpool continue Premier League title bid live on TNT Sports

Klopp's title-chasing Liverpool return to action in the Premier League against Chelsea on Wednesday 31st January with an 8:15pm kick-off live on TNT Sports 1 and D+ at 19:30. TNT Sports will bring you a host of thrilling drama from the Premier League during the 2023-24 season. This article details how to watch and live stream football matches on discovery+ in the UK and watch via TNT Sports TV channels on platforms including Sky, BT and Virgin Media. Join us on TNT Sports to see who prevails in this Premier League season with Manchester City the current champions. Read more here

14:10 – Is Brighton coach De Zerbi a possible target for Liverpool?

The Italian is a 7/1 shot to succeed Klopp, but is playing his cards close to his chest. For today at least.

14:05 – Liverpool could give Klopp a glorious finale

TNT Sports pundits Michael Owen and Joe Cole believe Liverpool are strong enough to challenge for four trophies this season with the Premier League, UEFA Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup all on the table.

14:00 – Watch: Liverpool fans react to shock Klopp news

'Massive shock!' - Liverpool fans give first reaction to Klopp announcement

13:55 – Breaking: Manchester United manager reacts to end of 'amazing' Klopp era

"It's no good for the Premier League," said Erik ten Hag at the club's news conference before their FA Cup trip to Newport on Sunday. "So he has made an era there, he built the club, he brought the club back where they belong, so congratulations on that. He has done an amazing job in Liverpool. I can understand it is a long time. It is a period, building up, achieving, with setbacks and the Premier League is very intense, so I can understand his arguments to step down."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on August 22, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mich

Image credit: Getty Images

13:50 – Watch: Klopp celebrates guiding Liverpool to UEFA Champions League glory

13:45 – Watch: Klopp breaks the shock news of Liverpool exit

'I'm running out of energy' - Klopp explains shock LFC departure

13:40 – Fergie's staying power will never be Klopped

Jurgen departs after nine glorious years at the top with Liverpool, but he finds himself frazzled a full 18 years less than Sir Alex Ferguson spent at Manchester United. Different eras of course, but difficult to see Fergie's staying power being topped among the Premier League elite that places huge demands and expectations on aspiring coaches.

13:35 – A bit more from Alonso on replacing Klopp

Can Alonso rule out coaching Liverpool in the summer? "That's a direct question, but I don't have a direct answer," he said. "Right now I'm here - for sure."

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has already touted Alonso as a possible future coach of Los Blancos. So perhaps Liverpool will have to move quickly to get their man.

Ancelotti hopes Alonso can 'one day' coach Real Madrid

13:30 – Liverpool continue Premier League title bid live on TNT Sports

'I have all the time in the world' - How Klopp changed Liverpool after arriving in 2015

13:25 – Breaking: Anfield favourite Alonso reacts to speculation

"Speculation is normal," said the Bayer Leverkusen manager. "What Jürgen has achieved at Liverpool is incredible. I have great respect for him. But my focus is on Bayer Leverkusen. I have great motivation, I'm very happy. With the club and with the team. My focus is not on May, but on Gladbach tomorrow. But I was surprised by the news from Liverpool."

Xabi Alonso

Image credit: Getty Images

13:20 – How Jurgen moved with times to transform Liverpool

13:15 – What is the incredible Klopp trophy haul?

UEFA Champions League – 2018/2019
Premier League – 2019/20
FA Cup – 2021/22
League Cup – 2021/22
FA Community Shield – 2022
UEFA European Super Cup – 2019
FIFA Club World Cup – 2019

He also twice guided Liverpool to a runners-up finish in the Champions League (2017/18 and 2021/22) and a runners-up finish in the UEFA Europa League (2015/16).

13:05 – What has Klopp said about the decision to quit?

"I will leave the club at the end of the season," said Klopp speaking to the Liverpool FC official website. "I can understand that that’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it. I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.

"It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again. After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth. That’s it, pretty much."

13:00 – Who are favourites to replace the German icon?

Jurgen Klopp has shocked the football world by announcing that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. The German will depart from Anfield after eight-and-a-half-year reign at the club. The next person in charge will have huge boots to fill and the bookies have already made Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso the favourite to replace Klopp at Anfield next season. Read more here

Latest Liverpool manager odds

Xabi Alonso 6/5
Roberto De Zerbi 7/1
Pep Lijnders 10/1
Steven Gerrard 20/1
Julin Nagelsmann 14/1
Luis Enrique 20/1
Ange Postecoglou 22/1
Graham Potter 33/1

12:55 – What is the Klopp managerial record at Liverpool?

Games: 466
Won: 283
Drawn: 105
Lost: 78
Goals: 972
Conceded: 469
Win percentage: 60.7%

12:50 – Tributes pour in for Jurgen Klopp after shock Liverpool resignation at end of season - 'What a manager, what a man'

Jurgen Klopp looks set to pull the curtain down on a glittering nine-year stint as Liverpool manager, which yielded seven major trophies. The two crowning achievements came in the form of Premier League and Champions League glory in 2020 and 2019 respectively, as he brought Liverpool back into the conversation as one of Europe's footballing heavyweights. Read more here

12:45 – Welcome to our live updates from a huge day at Anfield

We will be building up towards the 3pm media conference as Klopp discusses the reasons behind his decision to leave the Anfield manager's job at the end of the season. We will have all the latest updates and reaction to Klopp's decision to quit after eight-and-a-half glorious years at the helm of the six-time European champions.

Jurgen Klopp: Manager to leave Liverpool at the end of current season in surprise announcement

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has announced that he will leave the Premier League club at the end of the season.

The shock announcement means that Klopp will end his eight-and-a-half-year managerial reign at Anfield.

Klopp will go down as one of the best managers in Liverpool's history after leading them to their first-ever Premier League title in the 2019/20 campaign.

The German also guided them to Champions League glory in the previous season and has also picked up the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

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