Jurgen Klopp says he rejected Germany’s approach in 2023 because he couldn’t walk away from Liverpool after a disappointing season.
The Reds failed to qualify for the Champions League in 2022/23, and Klopp said he couldn’t just walk away.
“The season before that(final one) didn’t go so well for Liverpool, and Germany was looking for a new coach. I could have said ‘yes’ because it might have been better to do something different.”
“But I didn’t want to. I couldn’t leave Liverpool like that. There was a team, there were people with whom I had a relationship.”
“I’ve never been so cold not to remember the good things I said to a player a week earlier.”
He pointed to new signings like Endo, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister as a big reason he stayed.
“With them and the core team, I wanted to fix it again. That was important to me. We managed to do that.”
He knew his exit was coming, but felt announcing it early was right:
“You talk about a perfect handover, but some say Liverpool might have become champions if we’d made it public later. But for me, it felt right.”
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Jurgen Klopp reflects on life after Liverpool, but the ties remain
Even after stepping down, Klopp remains closely connected with the people and club he left behind.
“The contact is very good — some players write from time to time or send photos from holidays. The owners are now good friends.”
“I also wrote to Arne Slot from time to time. When it started so well under him, I asked myself for a moment if I liked that (laughs). Yes — that makes me happy.”
Speaking about Florian Wirtz’s record move, Klopp said:
“We all agree we’re talking about a great player here. I know I once said I’m out if we pay 100 million euros for a player. But the world is changing. That’s just the way the market is. He’s an outstanding player who can give any club something great.”
Now working as Red Bull’s Global Head of Football, Klopp says he has no desire to return to the dugout.
“I don’t want it anymore. I’ve coached over a thousand games. I loved it but was never addicted. For me, it’s about the people around me — and a meaningful task.”
In the end, that’s how he remembers it: “The time in Liverpool was wonderful, but it’s over. A colorful bouquet full of memories — and 99% of them are beautiful.”
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