Liverpool part-owner LeBron James breaks silence on Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave club

Liverpool part-owner LeBron James has reacted to Jurgen Klopp's decision to step down from his role at Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Klopp announced in an interview on Friday that he will leave Premier League leaders Liverpool after a trophy-laden nine-year spell.

The 56-year-old, who was appointed in October 2015, spoke about "running out of energy" in the surprise announcement.

"I told the club already in November," he said. "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.

"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."

Klopp added: "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."

The news brought a wave of reaction from some huge figures in the sporting world, including NBA legend LeBron James, who is estimated to own a one percent stake in Liverpool as a part of Fenway Sports Group.

James paid tribute to the Reds manager in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

He wrote: "THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND MORE!! You are one helluva manager and you’ll never be forgotten and more importantly YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE!! The Reds will miss you!!"

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND MORE!! You are one helluva manager and you’ll never be forgotten and more importantly YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE!! The Reds will miss you!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🔴🔴❤️https://t.co/owGsPKjxwu

— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 26, 2024

Klopp, meanwhile, wants to enjoy a "normal life" when he steps down, while confirming he would not change his mind.

"I really thought a lot about it, and because of our relationship -- mine with the club -- the situation is always clear," he said.

"I want everything this season and it wouldn't change my mind, and if we don't win anything it wouldn't change my mind. It's a decision I made independent of any kind of results.

"A big one is the potential of the team. I really see it is a really good basis, not more, we are not better than other teams or whatever, but we have a good basis to work with and that's really important. That's why it is a good moment to give it to someone else.

"This team is set up for the future. When I said Liverpool 2.0 that didn't include me obviously for the next 10 years but the team is there, the basis is there.

"Whoever comes in cannot give anybody a guarantee to win trophies but can give a good chance to play really good football. That's fine.

"They will get a top manager here, there will be good football. What we all learned and improved and did in the last few years, changing from doubters to believers and staying believing in difficult moments, if we keep all that, then it is a wonderful future ahead.

"That is all I want and I don't want to be the passenger who is disturbing that process."