A major hint that Jurgen Klopp was set to depart Liverpool appeared days before the club’s official announcement.
Klopp said on Friday that he is stepping down from his role as Liverpool manager at the end of the season after nine years at the club.
The German has won every major trophy available to Liverpool, including a Champions League and the club’s first Premier League title in 30 years. However, he credited his decision to depart due to the fact he is running “out of energy”.
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Klopp's exit, which has been agreed upon since November, has come as a surprise to the Liverpool faithful given the 56-year-old's current deal was set to expire in 2026.
However, a hint the manager was set to leave the Reds appeared earlier this week.
On Tuesday Bloomberg reported that Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are in talks with several media companies over the potential creation of a behind-the-scenes documentary.
FSG have reportedly engaged with several media firms over finding a home for such a project, with Klopp allegedly supportive of the plans.
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In hindsight, Klopp's support should have raised suspicion, given the German has long stated that he was not a fan of such documentaries. In 2018 the club turned down interest from Amazon to be part of its All Or Nothing series, a decision which, according to Bloomberg, Klopp was key to.
Moreover, in 2019 Klopp said in a press conference: “If [the club] would put out a video with me in a situation like that I would leave the club. That’s the truth and that’s all I have to say about that.”
In turn, the German’s alleged support for future plans for a documentary is suggestive he will not be involved in the process.
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"I told the club already in November," said Klopp, who announced his decision to leave with his side at the Premier League summit and through to the Carabao Cup final.
"I can understand that it'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.
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"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.
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"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."
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Topics: Football, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Premier League
Chris Byfield