It came as a complete shоck to JURGEN KLOPP on the day he revealed his desire to leave Liverpool at the conclusion of the season in January.
Someone informed him that in the summer of 2001, Sir Alex Ferguson informed Manchester United players that the upcoming season would be his final.
6Jurgen Klopp will wave goodbye to Anfield at the end of the seasonCredit: AP
The loss against Everton dealt a further devastating blоw to the Reds’ title aspirations. Despite this, Alamy Ferguson made a complete about-face and remained at Old Trafford for a further eleven years.
The “greatest mistake I made” was disclosing his plans, the great Scot said.
“They thought, ‘Oh, the manager’s leaving,'” Ferguson remarked, “so I guess a lot of them put their tools away.”
When informed about this period in English football history, Klopp arched an eyebrow since he was unfamiliar with it.
On Wednesday night, Klopp may have questioned the prudence of his statement as the cries of triumphant Everton supporters echoed around the stadium.
Klopp announced his resignation from Liverpool as the Reds were riding high in the Premier League, having dropped just one home game all season (a contentious one against Tottenham, involving video assistant referees).
The Reds have lost five games in a row since then, with FA Cup shоck losses to Manchester United and Europa League losses to Atalanta, as well as Premier League losses to struggling Crystal Palace and Everton, dashed dreams of a goodbye quadruple.
After Liverpool’s 2-0 loss at Goodison Park—Klopp’s first loss at the home of Liverpool’s local rivals—Wayne Rooney blamed the German coach’s leaving announcement for the team’s collapse.According to Rooney, who is a Sky commentator for the Merseyside derby, the players will be wondering, “What does my future hold?” because Klopp is so well-liked; even though he is an Everton supporter, Rooney says he truly likes Jurgen Klopp. Will Liverpool still use me? “Am I still committed to playing for Liverpool?”
The timing of Klopp’s announcement may have been influenced by other forces.Since he had already informed his employees that he planned to quit in November, word may have gotten out.
But the German was being wishful thinking when he thought it wouldn’t hurt Liverpool’s campaign.
Whether they knew it or not, his team was sure to be influenced by the impending arrival of a long-serving leader.
The futures of Liverpool’s best two players, Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk, were already in doubt.
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Other players are also growing less clear about their career choices, and the imminent departure of Klopp has brought those two scenarios into closer foreground.
Despite a marked improvement in their ιnjury situation, Liverpool’s form has plummeted.
Although Klopp has been an excellent manager for the past eight and a half years, his reign has been marked by more failures than successes.
If both Manchester City and Arsenal have disappointing last weeks, Klopp will finish his tenure at Anfield with the following trophies: a Premier League, a Champions League, an FA Cup, two League Cups, and a Club World Cup.His contributions to his team and English football go beyond what that respectable haul can cover.
As Ferguson will undoubtedly acknowledge, the timing of his departure announcement has also been detrimental.
6Klopp was eyeing a Quadruple but looks set to end the season with just the Carabao CupCredit: Getty
6Klopp’s announcement has clearly impacted his squadCredit: Getty
6Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his biggest mistake was telling his players in summer 2001 he would leave at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
6Fergie famously stayed on at Old Trafford until 2013Credit: PA