Pep Guardiola has sent a witty tribute to Jurgen Klopp, who is leaving England at the end of this season.
Coach Klopp is leaving Liverpool. Liverpool announced on its official website on the 26th (Korea time), “Coach Klopp has informed the owner of his wish to step down after the 2023-2024 season.” Pep Rangers, head coach Petter Kravitz and coach Vitor Matos will also leave the team with Klopp.
Liverpool has gone to an end. Klopp took the helm of Liverpool in October 2015 and gradually reshaped the team that was on the verge of collapse. Liverpool had never ranked sixth except in the 2013-2014 season but never dropped below fifth in the first season since Klopp’s inauguration.
He gave Liverpool the trophy again with his outstanding rebuilding ability. In addition to recruiting Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker with high batting average, he recreated Roberto Firmino and Jordan Henderson, and was also active in growing promising players represented by Trent Alexander-Arnold. 꽁머니
Starting with the UEFA Champions League in the 2018-2019 season, he kissed all major trophies that could be lifted, including the UEFA Super Cup, the Club World Cup, the English Premier League (PL), the Carabao Cup (League Cup), the English FA Cup, and the Community Shield.
“I have known for a long time that I have no problem now, but I have to announce the breakup someday. I already told the club in November,” Klopp said in an interview with Liverpool. “We are Liverpool, and we went through more difficult things together. The fans went through hardships before me. Let’s cheer up together. That must be great. Let’s try our best to give Liverpool another moment of glory until this season,” he said.
Numerous coaches faced questions about Klopp’s resignation announcement. Klopp’s name was mentioned in most of the PL manager’s press conferences, as well as Shabi Alonso and Roberto Dezerbi, who are being linked as successors.
Guardiola had no choice but to ask questions about Klopp. The two, who played in Germany as coaches of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, respectively, met again as coaches of Manchester City and Liverpool in England and produced many great matches. In terms of performance and tactics, the two coaches were compared several times and established themselves as leaders representing the 2010s.
Guardiola sent off Klopp with a humorous tribute. “He was a great coach and man. I will never forget him personally. Still, I feel at ease. I will sleep better the night before the match against Liverpool,” he said. In fact, Guardiola is slightly inferior to Klopp in overall performance with 11 wins, six draws and 12 losses. He was the only coach who failed to have an advantage in more than 10 matches.
As the title representing the PL left, attention was also paid to Guardiola’s future. Guardiola left behind countless rumors of a transfer last season and renewed his contract with Manchester City until 2025.
When asked if he still has passion for Manchester City, Guardiola said, “I’m fine. Thank you,” as if he had learned basic English conversation in Korea, before adding, “I want to stay with this team for one more year. Maybe I can extend it,” adding that he has no intention of leaving Manchester City.