Jurgen Klopp has revealed he hasn’t spoken to incoming CEO of Football Michael Edwards about reversing his decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season and doesn’t intend to.
The return of Edwards, formerly Liverpool sporting director until stepping away from day-to-day involvement in club football in 2022, was announced this week, marking the beginning of a new era for the club that also coincides with Klopp’s departure and the appointment of a new manager.
When Klopp spoke to the media on Wednesday ahead of this week’s Europa League last 16 second leg with Sparta Prague, he was asked whether Edwards had spoken to him about the prospect of staying on.
“No, because – and it is very important in the job – he is not dumb,” Klopp replied. “It’s not a subject to talk about, to be honest. Can you imagine I changed my mind now? Can you? Of course not. I cannot say what I said…it would be like, ‘never, ever for another club in England’ and then [I] signed for next year for a neighbour or whatever, or whoever needs a coach. That would be completely crazy. I don’t say these things without thinking before.
“It would mean I started only now realising how great this club is. I know it all the time. It is, for me, the best club in the world and I leave it anyway – that’s why I tried to explain. I just want the club to do as good as somehow possible. I am really sure we created a basis with the right people in charge, and Michael is a top choice.”
With Klopp’s planned exit made known to the club hierarchy in November and confirmed publicly in in January, Liverpool were keen to nail the structure for the next chapter before securing his replacement. The return of Edwards, in a more senior role than previously, and the planned appointment of Richard Hughes from Bournemouth as sporting director, was a crucial step.
“I said it a few times, I want to see the club in the best possible place after I leave, so everything we can do as long as I am here I will do,” Klopp explained.
“After that, other people have to do it and I think it’s a top solution, honestly. A top solution. [My] conversation [with Michael Edwards] was great, we spoke about a lot of things, about what I think about different things, players and stuff like this, the situation in the club because I was in while he was not [here], so what had changed and what might have to change. A really good talk and, as I said, I think it’s top news for the club.”
