Premier League
Jurgen Klopp Confident His Successor Can Hit The Ground Running
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, expressed his confidence in the Premier League club’s ability to sustain growth and progress even after he stepped down at the end of the season.
Following his announcement in January to depart after nine years at the helm, Klopp is set to be succeeded by Dutchman Arne Slot as the new manager of the Merseyside outfit.
The incoming manager will take charge of a team that is transforming, as Liverpool has made significant signings this season including Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo.
“Of course, it’s not perfect as if it was we’d have five or six points more and would still be fighting for the league,” Klopp told Sky Sports in an interview published on Sunday.”But if you rewind to the start of the season, I called it Liverpool 2.0… Liverpool 2.0 doesn’t stop after I leave. It’s just the start of another project with a really good squad.”
The German manager emphasized that he would not have been able to fulfill his role at full capacity if he had chosen to continue for another year.
“I was sure that if I didn’t make that decision now, next year it could have been tricky. The thought of picking yourself up for another pre-season, make big decisions,” Klopp said.
“For that, you need to be full of energy. Eighty percent is not enough. That’s the truth. It’s too much. It’s a 24/7 job. Yes, there are more important things in life, but if you care then it’s 24/7. He continued. “I did it for a pretty long time and I knew I couldn’t continue to do it at the standard necessary for a club like Liverpool.”
Liverpool, currently occupying the third position in the standings, will face off against fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in a league match later on Sunday.
