Breaking: Jurgen Klopp responds to rumours about his return after Michael Edwards come back
Despite Edwards’ comeback, Klopp promises that Liverpool will not reverse course.
Manager of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp. (Reuters)
The return of Michael Edwards to his position as chief executive of football at Fenway Sports Group would not impact Klopp’s plan to leave Anfield at the end of the season, the manager of Liverpool said on Wednesday.
There won’t be a sudden change of heart, the German said to Edwards, who he enjoyed a fruitful working relationship with as the team’s sporting director until he left in 2022. After serving in a number of capacities for more than ten years at Anfield, Edwards was pursued by owners FSG for a new post managing the significant change that will occur upon Klopp’s departure.
Asked whether Edwards has asked him about reversing his decision, Klopp told reporters: “No, because – and it’s very important in his job – he’s not dumb.
“That was not a subject to talk about. Can you imagine if I changed my mind now? Can you? Of course not. It would be like when I said I’d never (move to) another club in England and next year I signed for our neighbours or a club who needs a coach.”
The German, who described Edwards as a “top choice”, said he had thought long and hard about his decision to step down as Liverpool boss. “I don’t say these things without thinking about them before,” he said. “It would mean I realise only now how great this club is – I have known about it all the time. For me it is the best club in the world and I am still leaving anyway. That’s what I’ve been trying to explain.”
Klopp, 56, was speaking on the eve of the second leg of Liverpool’s Europa League last 16 match against Sparta Prague, when they will be defending a 5-1 scoreline from the first leg.
When he announced his decision in January to leave Anfield, he spoke about laying the foundations for his successor.
With the League Cup already secured, Liverpool are targeting four trophies – they are involved in a three-way Premier League race, have an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on Sunday and appear certain to progress to the Europa League quarter-finals. “The club is in a really good place,” said Klopp.
“People will only measure that at the end of the season when they have a look at what we really achieved, but that’s not that important for the future – what we achieve this season is for now.
“What’s important for the future is how good is the team, how good are the players, how good is the structure, how good is the organisation? That’s where my optimism comes from.”
Klopp’s starting line-up against Sparta Prague could feature Mohamed Salah after the Egypt forward’s two substitute appearances following his recovery from a hamstring injury.
“It wouldn’t have been impossible playing longer last game (Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City),” Klopp said.
“I am not sure he is ready for 90 minutes or that we should do 90 minutes, but he is ready to start.
“There are 10 more Premier League games and hopefully a lot more cup and European games, so they are as important. Mo is completely fine with that.”