Jurgen Klopp Archives

Jurgen Klopp ‘happy’ in new job despite Real Madrid rumours: agent

Jurgen Klopp is “very happy” in his current post at Red Bull despite rumours linking him to a return to management with Real Madrid, his agent said Friday.

The former Liverpool manager became Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer in January, taking care of a stable of clubs including RB Leipzig, the New York Red Bulls and Bragantino in Brazil.

Real Madrid’s quarter-final elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal this week has led to speculation that manager Carlo Ancelotti is headed for the exit at the end of the season.

German media reported that Klopp was one of the names that the Spanish giants want to take over in the Bernabeu dugout.

Asked about the rumours, his agent Marc Kosicke said 57-year-old Klopp was enjoying his new job.

“Jurgen is very happy with his new role with Red Bull,” Kosicke told Sky Deutschland.

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Also speaking on Friday, RB Leipzig coach Zsolt Low said he “could not imagine” Jurgen Klopp moving to Real Madrid, adding the German was “very happy in the job.”

Low praised Klopp’s impact, saying “he’s shown that he can bring a club together, a group of 40, 50, 60 people, and take them with him.

“He adds incredible value with his experience, his human quality and his energy.”

In a 23-year career as a top-flight manager with Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz, Klopp left each club of his own accord, a rarity in coaching.

“No matter where he’s been, he’s given 100 percent,” Low said, adding “regardless of where he is he’s stayed and done the job. It’s important to him to make a clean exit.”

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is considered a leading candidate for the Real Madrid job. Alonso, a former Madrid player, said Friday it was “not the time” to discuss his future.

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Liverpool confirm Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement

Liverpool confirmed on Monday that Feyenoord coach Arne Slot will be the new manager of the Premier League club, 24 hours after Jurgen Klopp’s emotional farewell at Anfield.

Liverpool said in a statement that the Dutchman, 45, would take up the position of head coach on June 1, subject to a work permit.

The club did not specify the length of his contract but it was widely reported in the British press that Slot had signed a three-year deal.

The new manager’s arrival was an open secret, with Liverpool reportedly agreeing a compensation deal worth up to £9.4 million ($12 million).

Slot confirmed Anfield was his next destination at his final pre-match press conference at the Eredivisie club on Friday.

Klopp, 56, announced January that the 2023/24 season would be his last at Anfield, and took charge of his final game on Sunday, a 2-0 win against Wolves.

In his farewell speech to the crowd, Jurgen Klopp urged fans to throw their full support behind his successor, leading them in a chant of “Arne Slot, na na na na na”.

“You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me,” he said. “You go all-in from the first day. And you keep believing and you push the team.”

Slot, linked with a move to Tottenham last year, became Feyenoord boss in 2021 after impressing in his first managerial role at AZ Alkmaar.

He led the Dutch giants to the inaugural Europa Conference League final at the end of his first season, which they narrowly lost 1-0 to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

Arne Slot then delivered just a second league title in 24 years to De Kuip last season before penning a new three-year deal.

“You can see people are genuinely sorry you are leaving,” he said on Friday.

“You can say that with words, but when you see it in people’s faces, it affects me quite a lot.”

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Feyenoord have enjoyed a strong season, winning the Dutch Cup and coming second to an all-conquering PSV Eindhoven side in the league.

Under Slot, Feyenoord have delighted the fans at De Kuip with an attacking brand of football and Slot has won praise from Klopp himself.

“I like the way his team plays football. If he is the one, I like that he wants it,” Klopp said last month.

“It’s the best job in the world, best club in the world. Great job, great team, fantastic people. A really interesting job.”

Liverpool captain and fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk has hailed Slot’s attacking mindset, saying it would suit the philosophy at Anfield.

Speaking about the future under the new boss, Van Dijk said: “It is all about sticking together and giving him the chance of showing what he is capable of with the other guys who will come in.

“He probably knows already but everyone knows our expectations are always huge and it is about managing that in the right way and getting the maximum out of all of our players.”

Arne Slot has huge shoes to fill at Anfield after Jurgen Klopp restored Liverpool to the elite of English and European football during his nine-year reign.

Under his leadership, Liverpool won a sixth Champions League crown and a 19th league title, as well as a clutch of other silverware.

Initially, Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was the favourite to succeed Klopp at Anfield.

However, Alonso committed to staying at Leverkusen as he led them to a first-ever Bundesliga title.

Liverpool finished third in the Premier League, qualifying for next season’s Champions League, and won the League Cup in Klopp’s final season.

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Arne Slot to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager

Liverpool reached an agreement with Feyenoord on Friday for Arne Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp as manager, British media reported.

The Press Association said that a compensation package for the 45-year-old, who had two years left on his contract, has now been agreed.

The BBC claimed that the deal is worth up to £9.4 million (10.9 million euros).

Slot had said Thursday that he was “confident” of landing the Anfield job.

“I would like to go to Liverpool. Now I’m waiting to see whether the clubs reach an agreement. I’m very confident in that,” he told reporters.

Slot moved to Feyenoord in 2021 after impressing in his first managerial role at AZ Alkmaar.

He led the Dutch giants to the inaugural Europa Conference League final at the end of his first season, in which they narrowly lost 1-0 to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

Slot then delivered just a second league title in 24 years to De Kuip last season before penning a new three-year deal.

Klopp will step down at the end of this season after a nine-year reign which brought the Champions League title in 2019 and Premier League trophy a year later.

“I like the way his team plays football. If he is the one, I like that he wants it,” Klopp told reporters on Friday when asked to highlight Slot’s qualities.

“I don’t know him, but some people who know him say he’s a good guy. I like that a lot. So good coach, good guy. Looking forward for the club, if he is the solution, if he is the man, I’m more than happy.

“It’s the best job in the world, best club in the world. Great job, great team, fantastic people. A really interesting job.”

Feyenoord are currently second in the Eredivisie table, with PSV Eindhoven nine points clear at the top.

Failing to win the Dutch title would be a disappointment for Slot, mirroring Klopp’s frustration at Liverpool’s own faltering title bid.

Liverpool are in third place in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Arsenal and two adrift of second-placed Manchester City.

City have a game in hand on both Arsenal and Liverpool, who look to have blown their chance after defeats against Crystal Palace and Everton.

As well as their poor recent league form, Liverpool have also endured quarter-final defeats in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Initially, Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso had been the favourite to succeed Klopp.

However, Alonso has committed to staying at Leverkusen after leading them to a first-ever Bundesliga title.

Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim was also linked with the Liverpool vacancy but has reportedly held talks with West Ham about replacing David Moyes next season.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said Slot’s attacking tactics could be the ideal match for the Premier League club.

“I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment,” said Van Dijk.

“I think the way of playing and the philosophy he has, that he could be a Liverpool coach.”

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Jurgen Klopp warns title-chasing Liverpool over ‘derby fever’ in Everton clash

Jurgen Klopp warned his title-chasing Liverpool team that they will have to cope with “derby fever” as he prepares to face Everton for the final time on Wednesday.

Klopp’s men are second in the Premier League table, level on 74 points with Arsenal — who host Chelsea on Tuesday — and one clear of defending champions Manchester City.

Liverpool returned to winning ways at the weekend, beating Fulham 3-1 after a draw against Manchester United and a costly defeat at home to Crystal Palace.

“I don’t know when my first derby was but I always knew how important it was,” said Klopp. “Now I know it and I feel it. My understanding has developed over the years but they are always difficult games, especially there.”

He added: “Derby fever will be in minds so we have to be cool and that is an important part in preparing for the game.”

Everton have a respectable recent record against their city rivals at their own ground, losing only once there in the Premier League since 2016.

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Klopp, in his final season at Anfield, said he was happy with the way his team had responded after their recent setbacks, which included exits from the FA Cup and the Europa League.

“It was super-important to qualify for the Champions League,” he said. “That was clear to go for that. It looks good in that department but it is not 100 percent set yet.

“We are where we are and want to win all the games. You have to deal with all the little setbacks. I wouldn’t say it was straightforward but until two weeks ago it was better than people would have thought.

“It’s all about how you can get the right feeling back again. And I am really happy with the response.

“Let’s make the best of it. If we win the league then I will be ecstatic. And as long as there’s that chance we will give it a good try.”

The German also said Portugal international Diogo Jota would be out for about two weeks after picking up an injury at Fulham.

Everton’s relegation fears have been eased after two wins in their past three games.

They are now five points clear of the drop zone despite being docked a total of eight points this season for breaches of Premier League financial rules.

Everton boss Sean Dyche said he was looking forward to his first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

“I didn’t grow up here so I don’t have the depth of understanding (of the rivalry) but what I do understand is how important it is to be Everton’s manager in all games, but particularly this one for the obvious reasons,” he said.

Speaking about Klopp’s final derby, he added: “Aside from being Everton’s manager, massive respect for what he’s done here and his other clubs. It’s not easy to build things, and he’s done it at three clubs. Massive respect for that.”

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Jurgen Klopp denies quick returns caused Liverpool injuries

Jurgen Klopp has rejected suggestions that Liverpool rushed players back too soon after Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara and Dominik Szoboszlai all suffered setbacks after returning to action.

Alexander-Arnold will miss the League Cup final against Chelsea later this month because of a knee problem that recurred in last week’s win over Burnley for the Premier League leaders.

Thiago faces another spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury following an appearance as a late substitute in the defeat against Arsenal, while Szoboszlai has hurt his hamstring again.

“I got the news that there was a discussion we might have forced Trent back,” Liverpool manager Klopp said on Friday.

“He had two setbacks and it is really unfortunate, no one wants that.

“But different cases, different scenarios and as long as I’m here we never forced anyone back and we will never do.

“We work in a high-performance area and if you have the same injury you are fit after three days and another guy after four weeks.”

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Jurgen Klopp, whose team travel to Brentford on Saturday, said the players had been ready when they were passed fit to play.

“We can never know if it would have happened anyway or whether it was something before,” he added. “Very unlucky and unfortunate.

“It is not great but it says nothing about the quality of anyone. The world we are living in it is always immediately ‘Medical department? I’m not sure about that’ but it is nothing to do with that.

“We have to bring the boys as back as soon as possible but never sooner than they are ready from our point of view.”

In brighter news for Klopp, top scorer Mohamed Salah returned to training this week after a month out with a hamstring problem sustained on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.

“Mo is back in full training, that brings him automatically in contention of course,” said the Liverpool boss.

The German also welcomed the “really nice” announcement that former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will be part of the management team for a charity legends game against Ajax at Anfield next month.

Eriksson revealed in January he had “best case a year” to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The 76-year-old Swede disclosed at the time his lifelong love for Liverpool and how he had always wished to be manager of the club.

“I was always convinced that it will work out some way, and then this is now really nice,” said Klopp. “A legend coaches legends, so it’s really cool.”

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Klopp expects Liverpool to maintain title bid without Mohamed Salah

Jurgen Klopp is adamant Liverpool will be able to maintain their Premier League title charge despite the imminent loss of Mohamed Salah to African Cup of Nations duty.

Salah will leave to play for Egypt at the African Cup of Nations after Liverpool host Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday.

Liverpool sit two points clear of Arsenal at the top as they chase a first title since 2020.

They also take on Arsenal in the FA Cup third round and Fulham in the League Cup semi-finals in January, meaning Salah’s absence could not come at a worse time.

Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s top scorer with 16 goals this term and his absence in the Ivory Coast, for potentially over a month if Egypt go deep into the tournament, leaves Klopp with a major void to fill.

“It is not the first time, it is a really at least very average situation that you lose your goalscorer but we had it even worse in the past when Sadio (Mane) and Mo left,” Klopp told reporters on Friday.

“We came somehow through it and traditionally one of them went pretty far in the tournament, which made it worse.”

Jurgen Klopp will also be without Japan midfielder Wataru Endo while he plays at the Asia Cup at the same time as Salah departs.

“We knew the Africa Cup of Nations from time to time appears and Mo has to go and we have Endo as a participant of the Asia Cup as well, so it is like it is. We have to deal with it and we will,” Klopp said.

“Each long-term plan I could have had depends massively on who is available. We would have solutions today, I hope we have that after the Newcastle game as well.”

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The return of Diogo Jota after a month out injured is a boost as the Portugal international scored a comeback goal against Burnley on Boxing Day.

Jota’s versatility means he can operate across the forward line, as can Cody Gakpo, while Harvey Elliott has played in Mohamed Salah’s position even though he is more of a midfielder in Klopp’s system.

“The return of each of the boys is super-important but Diogo especially. Everybody was quite positive about our five options, but I don’t think we had it that often to be honest,” Klopp said.

“Especially with the amount of games we play it is so important these boys can rotate and now with Mo leaving and Endo leaving we need everyone to get back.”

However, Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson’s recovery from a dislocated shoulder is now likely to keep him out now for the whole of January.

The Scotland captain, sidelined since October, was expected to return next month.

“Robbo still needs more range in his shoulder. Obviously it was a big surgery, still not even close to team training or whatever,” Klopp said.

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‘Nothing’ in speculation linking Salah to Saudi, says Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dismissed suggestions on Friday that Mohamed Salah could become the latest star name to depart European football for Saudi Arabia.

According to reports, Al-Ittihad are trying to lure the Egyptian to the Gulf state with a huge salary offer that would rival the deals that enticed Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar to the Gulf kingdom.

Salah signed a three-year contract extension at Anfield just over 12 months ago and his agent has previously poured cold water on speculation of a move.

“If we considered leaving LFC this year, we wouldn’t have renewed the contract last summer. Mohamed [Salah] remains committed to LFC,” Ramy Abbas posted on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this month.

Liverpool’s plans for the transfer window have already been thrown into chaos by the loss of midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi clubs and Klopp said the club would not consider any offers for Salah.

“Talk about media stories,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Newcastle. “Nothing to talk about from my point of view — Mo Salah is a Liverpool player.

“He is an essential player, was and will be. There is nothing there. If there was, the answer would be no.”

Japan captain Wataru Endo could make his first start for the Reds at St. James’ Park after the defensive midfielder appeared as a substitute in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth.

Liverpool’s failure to beat Chelsea to the signature of Moises Caicedo or Romeo Lavia before turning to Endo has attracted criticism of their business in the transfer window and Klopp recognised he may need more reinforcements in the final week of the window — or luck with injuries — to get by in the coming months.

“We have to be lucky with injuries, I have no doubt of the quality of the boys we have,” added Klopp.

“In this moment we are covered, but it is not dreamland where you can be prepared with every situation, we have had to learn this is in the past.

“We have to try our best for next week. A squad where we can react on pretty much everything, is it possible?’. We will see.”

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