German coach Jürgen Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool after the season surprised even his Manchester City rival Pep Guardiola. The Spanish coach of the reigning Premier League champions and Champions League winners said he will miss Klopp but will sleep better ahead of the games against Liverpool.
“He’s an absolutely incredible coach and person, even though I don’t know him that well,” Guardiola said after Friday’s 1-0 win at Tottenham in the FA Cup.
Klopp announced his impending departure a few hours earlier. “Personally, he has been my biggest rival ever since he was in Dortmund and I was in Bayern Munich. I will miss him. But I am happy that I will be able to sleep a little better without him before the match. I wish him all the best,” said Guardiola.
Guardiola Klopp
An incredible rivalry. pic.twitter.com/LmiSqjUppM
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 27, 2024
Klopp said he wants to take a break from training because he feels exhausted. “He won’t admit it, but he will come back. All coaches feel that way after so many years. I had the same thing when I was at Barcelona, so I completely understand,” said the Spanish coach.
Klopp has been at Liverpool since 2015. In the 2019/20 season, he led them to their first league title in 30 years. He reached the Champions League final three times with the club and dominated the competition in 2019. In the same year, he also won the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup trophy with the Reds. In 2021/22, he added victories in the FA Cup and the League Cup.
2024-01-28 17:15:00
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