Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he’d be ‘on holiday somewhere’ if he wasn’t in charge of Liverpool this season.
Klopp committed himself to Liverpool last April, signing a deal to keep him at Anfield until 2026. And speaking to journalist Mike Calvin’s Football People podcast, the Reds boss said he’s ready for the challenge of taking Liverpool through a transitionary period.
“I’m not sure if it’s the biggest challenge but it’s a challenge. It was one of the main reasons why I signed a new contract, because I knew it was necessary, it will not go overnight,” said the German.
“Imagine the situation now with another coach in the chair. I would be somewhere on holiday, everyone would shout my name and say ‘with him it would not have happened!’ and stuff like this. I’m obviously not a miracle worker and that’s why it’s good how it is.”
Liverpool better off with Klopp
This is a good point from Jurgen. It more or less confirms that he was expecting this season to be a difficult one right from the outset, no matter the coach in charge.
Perhaps he hadn’t envisioned it being quite so bad. But with players getting older and other teams getting stronger, it has proven to be a real slog for the Reds.
Thankfully, Klopp recognises that these things happen in football.
It may be frustrating for fans to witness, but you can’t be bang at it relentlessly. There are so many factors that go into determining a top football team.
One of those key factors is obviously the manager in charge. As Jurgen says, he isn’t a miracle worker and things are just as hard for him as they are for any other coach in the game. But more often than not, Klopp works things out.
It’s encouraging to hear the calmness with which the 55-year-old analyses Liverpool’s season. He knows things haven’t been good enough but he also knows they can change.
One thing’s for sure: Liverpool are much, much better off with Klopp at the helm than with any other manager in the game.
If he were sat on holiday somewhere instead of being in charge at Anfield, we’d all be far worse off.