‘There were tears’: Klopp admits decision to leave Liverpool was emotional – as it happened

That’s all for now, folks. We’ll bid you farewell on a day when transfer news, or the ongoing conspicuous absence of any transfer news worth talking about, was completely overshadowed by the shock news that Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. Have a great weekend.

Newcastle United: Joelinton may have played his last game for the club, according to his manager Eddie Howe. The Brazil midfielder, who was originally signed as a striker, will be sidelined until May after undergpoing surgery on a thigh injury.

With just 18 months left on his contract, Newcastle could be forced to sell the laughing stock-turned-firm fan favourite in order to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

“He has 18 months left on his contract so it’s a possibility he’ll be sold in the summer,” said Howe. “I’m not a fortune teller but it’s a possibility. I hope that’s not the case. I want him to stay. I love him as a person and player but before a player signs a contract he has to be happy with everything and we are not there yet.”

Manchester United: On an otherwise good day for Manchester United fans, Erik ten Hag has revealed the club will not be signing a striker during the January window because of financial restraints.

“I looked but there is no space,” he told reporters ahead of his side’s FA Cup fourth round match against Newport County at Rodney Parade. “There is no space for FFP to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position. Of course, [Marcus] Rashford can play as a striker; we have some other alternatives and it’s clear that Anthony [Martial] is out for a couple of months it’s a gap in our squad, clear.”

Transfer news: While Jurgen Klopp has hijacked the majority of today’s headlines, it’s worth remembering that the slowest transfer window in history remains open. Spare a thought for Fabrizio Romano, who is being forced to survive on the thinnest of gruel.

An email: “I’m not a Liverpool fan, but this strangely hits harder than when I saw other legends like Wenger or Ferguson leave their positions,” writes Russell Yong. “I think it’s because Klopp’s tenure coincided with a massive upswing in the volume and venom of Internet bantz-trolling.

“Liverpool’s place in the footballing firmament, the conspicuousness of his position and his demeanour meant tons of people were aching to find reasons to hate him and, for someone who had no cause to be anywhere near that invested, I found I spent a lot of time defending what was clearly a nice man; a complex human being, to be sure, with faults and mistakes like everyone, but fundamentally someone whose heart and judgment were almost always in the right place.”

Russell meanders on at great length, without inserting so much as a single paragraph break, before apologising for his lack of brevity, but I think we get the general gist of his missive. Thank you, Russell.

Celtic: In slightly less incendiery news that may fly under the radar, Cameron Carter-Vickers has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract which will see him remain at the club until 2029.

“This is great news for us all that Cameron has extended his contract with the club,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
“He has been an absolute rock for us since he joined the club and has played to such a high standard so regularly, week in, week out.”

An email: “I’m a Liverpool supporter living in the Pacific NW,” writes Yogi. “I’ve been supporting the team for over 25 years growing up in Indonesia. As I woke up to this bombshell, perhaps due to the long distance or just me not fully up from my slumber, the news only felt like a numbing jab at the moment.

“However as I start to get ready for work, I’m coming to the realization I’m out of energy presumably just the way the big man had felt. I know for certain when the evening comes and as I lay in bed, I will feel the full force of this bombshell akin to an uppercut that will knock me out good.”

Football Daily is here …

Klopp’s press conference: the key points

And there endeth Klopp’s presser …

Billy Morgan on Klopp’s send-off …

Klopp’s message to the fans …

Could Klopp change his mind?

Billy Hogan: ‘I wouldn’t want to set a timeline”

Klopp: “This team is set up for the future”

Klopp: Liverpool’s manager tells the ladies and gentlemen of the Fourth Estate that “while I have nothing against you guys, I feel like I’ve been talking to you six days a week, every week and I’m really looking forward to not having to do that any more.”

Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan speaks: “Probably to put into words how significant this is, Jurgen talked about leaving club in better place than he found it 2015. There’s no doubt that he’s done that. As he said, he will be here for several more months. From our perspective, the news is sad and supporters share that sadness.

“This is about everyone seeing what happens outside but the amount of pressure – 24 years now – so I was surprised in a sense, but I understood it. It’s a sad day but also a credit to Jurgen that he’s come to the decision he wants. It will be an orderly process to replace him.

“The same process that brought us Jurgen will be undertaken now. Our ownership group, Mike Gordon in particular will be a part of that process but it won’t be a running commentary, we operate when we’re ready to talk about things. We won’t get into the name-game.”

Klopp: ‘There were some tears’

Klopp: Asked if he will have a role in appointing his successor, the Liverpool manager says it is important that people know that he doesn’t do all the work at the club “because I couldn’t”. He goes on to say he doesn’t want to be the old man walking out the gate telling everyone remaining at the club “you should do this, you should do that”.

Klopp: “With all the responsibility you have in this job, you have to be top of your game,” he says. “I am, but I’ve been doing this 24 years now. When you had or have the career I had it’s almost impossible to start where I did and arrive at Liverpool.

“I always invested everything I had. I realised my resources are not endless and I prefer to pack everything into this season and then have a break or stop or whatever.

“This team we have with all the super things we have in this club, they need a manager at the top of his game and top level. I can’t be there any more. The alternative is I go into next season and I have to try and get through it, that’s not right. I told the club and the staff and since today everyone knows.

“I still think it’s the right thing to do. I don’t take these things lightly. I’m convinced it’s right.”

Klopp: ““Liverpool need a manager at the top of his game, at the top of their level and I can’t be that,” he says. “You realise we are not young rabbits anymore and we don’t jump as high as we did. I didn’t think about it on purpose, it just happened.”

Klopp on the reaction of his players: “I spoke the the players as a group and then I spoke to some of them separately after. THey didn’t have any questions yet because they are professionals and just want to get on with it. I wouldn’t say they threw a party.”

Jurgen Klopp: “Today I will answer 500,000 questions on this subject if you want, but that’s it then until the end of the season,” he tells reporters. “The club needs time to plan for the future while we deal with the present.”

Jurgen Klopp speaks …

Transfer news: Middlesbrough have signed defender Luke Thomas on loan from Leicester until the end of the season. The 22-year-old left-back had been on loan at Sheffield United but has his spell at Bramall Lane cut short earlier this month following the return of a few key players in that position from injury.

“We’re delighted to bring Luke to the club,” said Boro boss Michael Carrick. “He’s a good addition to the squad – he has plenty of experience and he will bring a balance to what we have. We’re looking forward to working with him.”

Greetings readers. With less than 30 minutes to go until Jurgen Klopp attends to his media duties ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Norwich City, his plans on how best to get the better of the visitors’ left-back Dimitiris Giannoulis in the absence of Mo Salah on Sunday afternoon is almost certain to be top of the agenda. Or maybe it won’t.

While it would be genuinely hilarious if reporters attending the press conference unanimously agreed, just for a laugh, to go the entire duration of the press conference without mentioning this morning’s bombshell announcement, it’s probably fair to say the subject of his departure from Anfield at the end of the season is likely to be the only show in town.

Time to hand over to Barry Glendenning, who will keep you updated with all the news and reaction – plus Klopp facing reporters at his news conference at 3pm GMT – so in about 30 minutes. Over to you, Barry …

“Norwich are the next team to visit Anfield on Sunday in the FA Cup – hardly a trip we are confident about considering recent results, and now this?” splutters Matt Taylor [not that one]. “A fired-up Liverpool team and Anfield paying tribute to a manager they love? God help us. I’m taking my nine-year-old as well for his first away game. Won’t someone please think of the children?”

Yikes – best of luck, Matt. Let’s just hope they don’t bring Luis Suárez back on a short-term deal before Sunday …

De Zerbi is among the early names in the frame – among bookmakers, at least – to replace Klopp. He’s asked for his thoughts, and if there is any update on his new Brighton contract.

“There’s no news [on my contract], but my focus is just on the last part of the season [with Brighton],” he straight-bats. His team visit Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

Here’s the Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi: “If [Klopp] changes country, the Premier League is losing one of the best coaches in the world.

“I can understand [Klopp running out of energy] … I think this work is the best work you can do, but it’s very tough, you need energy, you have to push every day, you have to study – you can’t stop your improvement.”

“I can’t help but compare Klopp leaving Liverpool to Alex Ferguson leaving Manchester United,” writes John Brennan. “While some Liverpool fans seem unhappy with FSG not spending enough money, Klopp keeps working with what he has. For example, he has put Conor Bradley – who was at Bolton last season – in at right back while Trent Alexander Arnold is out.

“Add to that the fact that it seems the whole backroom staff are leaving and some uncertainty in the upstairs roles – it just seems to chime with David Gill leaving at the same time as Ferguson. The only thing I would say is that FSG seem to have a better feel for a football club than the Glazers or Ed Woodward did.”

“I have a feeling Klopp will still outlast Erik ten Hag,” says Nick Smith.

“We’re gonna miss him you know (except Everton fans),” writes Colin Young. “But isn’t it rather damning that someone can feel too much pressure to do his job, especially when his team are top of the league in January? Is the pressure just too much for any one man?”

In news that has in no way been snuck out while everyone’s talking about Jürgen Klopp … Birmingham City will rename their home ground St Andrew’s Knighthead Park under a new naming rights agreement, with plans to rebrand the training ground and build a fan entertainment park close to the stadium.

The Blues claim the multi-million pound deal with club owners, Shelby Companies Limited, is the largest commercial agreement in their history. Shelby Companies Limited is majority-owned by Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company and other minority investors, including seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.

Here are the thoughts of the Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag: “He has made an era there, he built the club, brought them back where they belong. He’s done an amazing job … it’s not good for the Premier League.”

“Nine years is a long time. Building up, achieving targets, setbacks, difficult periods – the Premier League is very intense,” the Dutchman added. “I can understand if he feels he is running out of energy.”

If you’d told me a month ago (or even yesterday, to be honest) I’d be watching Erik ten Hag still in post, talking about Jürgen Klopp leaving Liverpool … funny old game, isn’t it?

A couple more reads from our archive, starting with Donald McRae’s interview with the Liverpool manager in 2018:

And here’s Barney Ronay on the greatest night of Klopp’s tenure, when a sixth European Cup was delivered with a 2-0 win over Tottenham.

Xabi Alonso: ‘I don’t know what will come next’

“I’m absolutely gutted by today’s news. And whoever comes in next could struggle to meet expectations,” writes Dan Lescure. “Alonso would probably be most fans’ preferred choice but this team has been constructed to play Klopp’s style, so whatever comes next, there can’t be too big a departure from that.”

A little more on Mayra Ramírez, who made our recent list of the top 100 women’s footballers at No 98 (hey, it still counts!)

“Colombia’s Ramírez is a very welcome new addition. While Alba Redondo and Linda Caicedo stole the headlines for Levante and Colombia respectively, Ramírez played a pivotal role in both attacks. Her return for Levante last season of 14 goals and 11 assists was one of the best in Europe, and her versatility and energy shone through for Colombia at the World Cup as she succeeded in several roles in the attack. Three goals so far this season has been a steady start, and the 24-year-old has quietly become one of the under-the-radar stars of the European club scene.

WSL: Chelsea sign Colombia forward Mayra Ramírez

I thought of this very clip myself, Gary. Can I sum today’s news up in a word? No. In a sound? Woooaaarrgh.

Some more reaction from around the football world …

Graeme Souness: “I’m amazed, I just think the demands of that job, it’s one of the best jobs in the world if you get it right and he has done that. Jürgen Klopp is such a perfect fit for Liverpool – he’s aggressive, emotional and confrontational but that takes a toll. The pressure of being a manager at a big football club is enormous.”

Edin Terzic, Dortmund manager: “Jürgen is an outstanding person. I was lucky enough to get to know him here. He has shaped our club and Liverpool like no other. I am sure that there will be another station in his coaching life, there will be a place where he will do a similarly good job.”

Thomas Tuchel, Bayern manager: “Kloppo is one of the very best coaches in the world, he has always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. It’s big news.”

While there’s plenty of talk about successors and what’s next for Jürgen Klopp, many of you are still reeling from the news.

“I’m heartbroken and a bit bewildered, if I’m honest. Why now? Why sign up until 2026?” writes Sally. “A wonderful manager who quite simply ‘got us’.”

“I knew this day would come but it’s incredibly sad,” writes Tim Vellani. “All I want to say is thank you, Jürgen from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for Liverpool. So much joy and pride over the last nine years.”

An intriguing piece of information from Bild, who claim that Xabi Alonso has a release clause in place that allows him to leave this summer, but only for Liverpool, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid – all teams he previously played for.

Alonso is under contract until 2026 and is on course to lead Leverkusen, unbeaten in the league this season, to their first Bundesliga crown. The last manager to win the German title with a team other than Bayern Munich? Jürgen Klopp, of course.

“Maybe there’s a chance for everyone’s favourite anti hero to get one last chance at the big time. Someone who knows the game inside out, has bags of charisma, and really strong leadership skills … I give you Mr Neil Warnock,” writes Neil Warn Matt Dunnill.

“Personally I don’t mind who they get next, as long as it’s not José Mourinho, because he’s the next England manager.” I’m still hoping Didier Drogba might be able to convince José to take on the Ivory Coast job, just for the Afcon knockouts.

Sheffield United sign Atlético keeper Ivo Grbic

“I’m waking up to this news in the US and it’s a big shock,” writes Luke Jones. “But after that, my feeling is relief. Klopp has seemed more prickly and grouchy in the last couple of years. You can just see that the job is grinding him down. The man needs a break. You have to respect him even more for being the kind of guy who can recognise that and make a really hard decision to walk away.”

I do think Klopp will take a break before his next job – similar to his sabbatical after Dortmund before taking up the reins at Anfield.

Some more reaction to Klopp’s announcement, from Jamie Carragher. “This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it came,” he wrote on X. “I just thought it would be another few years away. What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”

The former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “What he’s done for this club and his time being in charge, nothing short of phenomenal. To get them back winning the league, getting them to major finals, getting that pride back in the football club, the joy of playing for Liverpool.”

“It’s one of those moments isn’t it?” says Paul Griffin. “The very air seems piquant and electric with the new information. Neurons grappling to process new pathways. Everyone will remember exactly what they were doing when Mohamed Diomandé arrived from Nordsjælland on loan at Rangers.”