Jurgen Klopp shocks football by revealing he is QUITTING Liverpool at the end of the season because he's 'running out of energy' - and says he may never manage again

Jurgen Klopp revealed the shocking news after saying he had 'run out of energy' READ: Mail Sport's interview with Liverpool's manager in waiting Xabi Alonso Follow our live blog for all the latest on the German's shock news No Salah, no problem! Liverpool can thank Jurgen Klopp for an 'exceptional' squad rebuild - It's All Kicking Off 

Jurgen Klopp has announced he will stand down as Liverpool boss at the end of the season – as stunned supporters declared it ‘the worst day of their lives’ and said it was ‘like a family member had died’.

In a bombshell interview on Friday morning that has rocked the sport, the 56-year-old German boss claimed he is ‘running out of energy’ after winning the Premier League, Champions League, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup across nine years at Anfield – and hinted he may never manage in football ever again.

‘I will leave the club at the end of the season,’ he said. ‘I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.

‘It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.

Klopp’s admission of burnout mirrors when he left his previous club Borussia Dortmund after wife Ulla Sandrock was said to have played a major role in his departure.

Jurgen Klopp has shocked football by revealing he will step down as Liverpool boss at the end of the season

Klopp has turned Liverpool into a European powerhouse over the last decade, winning seven trophies – including the Champions League in 2019

The German claimed he was stepping down because he has ‘run out of energy’ after an emotional and passion-fuelled spell at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp’s wife Ulla played a major role in his decision to leave his old club Borussia Dortmund and had an influence in his call to leave Liverpool too

Liverpool fans were left devastated after the announcement – with one claiming it felt like ‘a family member had died’

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Klopp was asked about the influence of Ulla on his resignation – and said she was ‘happy’ with his decision. She had also been integral to him signing a new contract extension in 2022. The pair met while Ulla was working as a waitress in a bar in Munich before getting married in 2005.

‘I had to explain it, of course I had to,’ he said. ‘It was not like, “Oh, thank God”. You must not misunderstand. Not at all.

‘Obviously Ulla wants me to do well and be fine, and when she realised that I’m really clear about [his decision], she is happy for me.’

During Klopp’s time in charge of Borussia Dortmund, Ulla had expressed concerns over his wellbeing during his final season in 2015, having been in charge of the Bundesliga side for seven seasons.

Klopp said he had informed the club of his decision to step down in November – and that he revealed it while discussing transfer targets for next summer.

‘When we sat there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and can we go wherever, the thought came up, “I am not sure I am here then anymore” and I was surprised myself by that,’ he said.

Klopp even revealed the possibility he could retire from football management altogether – but said he needed more time before making a final decision.

‘If you ask me, “Will you ever work as a manager again?” I would say now no. But I don’t know obviously how that will feel because I never had the situation.

Klopp even teased the possibility that he could retire from football management altogether

He won the clean sweep of every trophy available during his time in English football

Liverpool fans will look back on their first Premier League title in 30 years as a particular high point during Klopp’s reign

Liverpool’s Fenway Sports Group directors hailed Klopp for his achievements at Anfield and said work was already under way to ensure success when he departs

‘What I know definitely – I will never, ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool, 100 per cent. That’s not possible. My love for this club, my respect for the people is too big. I couldn’t. I couldn’t for a second think about it. There’s no chance.’

The president of Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group expressed their gratitude towards Klopp for his achievements at the club and said plans were already under way to ensure the Reds succeed when the German has departed.

‘First and foremost, on behalf of John Henry and Tom Werner, I would like to state our profound appreciation for Jurgen,’ said Mike Gordon.

‘It goes without saying that we will be hugely saddened to lose not just a manager of such caliber, but a person and leader for whom we have enormous respect, gratitude and affection. At the same time, we fully respect his wishes and the reasons why he has decided the current season will be his last at Liverpool.

‘Our priority now is two-fold. First, to ensure that the progress that has been made on the pitch this season is maintained in the final months of the campaign. Second, to continue the due diligence behind the scenes which will allow our football operations department to adapt to a future without Jurgen.’

Liverpool fans have taken to social media to show their sorrow after the huge news, as some declared it ‘the worst day of their lives’.

One wrote: ‘Ngl klopp leaving @LFC is probably the worst day of my life.’

Another said: ‘Just heard the worst news of the day that Jurgen Klopp is leaving the club at the end of the season.

Liverpool fans took to social media to declare it ‘the worst day of my life’ after the shock news

‘The best ever manager to grace football and one of the greatest Premier League managers. Klopp has won literally everything at Liverpool in the last 9 years except Europa League!’

‘A third post read: ‘Woke up in a different time zone, and the news of Klopp leaving hits like a hammer.

‘We know he would leave one day, but at worst, we hoped we had 2 more years. Devastating news, but I’m comforted by the new squad he has put together. Impossible act to follow, but we are Liverpool.’

Others claimed they were ‘heartbroken’ and ‘devastated’ – while another said ‘best leave me alone today’.

Klopp’s assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz will also leave in the summer – with the former looking to move into management.

Club legend Jamie Carragher led the tributes towards Klopp on Friday, calling it a ‘body blow’ as he hailed the German’s remarkable achievements.

The 56-year-old joined Liverpool in 2015 after leaving Borussia Dortmund and was tasked with overhauling an underachieving side

Former Liverpool man Xabi Alonso has been installed as the favourite to replace Klopp

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‘This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it came. I just thought it would be another few years away. What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!’

Gary Lineker added: ‘Wow. Huge news. What an incredible job he’s done. A special @RestIsFootball podcast will be with you this afternoon.’

Klopp’s first game in charge since the seismic news will be a fourth-round FA Cup clash against Norwich City at Anfield on Sunday.

His final game in charge will be a home match against Wolves on May 19.

Former Liverpool man Xabi Alonso has quickly emerged as one of the front-runners to take over from Klopp – with the bookies’ making him the favourite.

The ex-midfielder is highly admired after his incredible work at Bayer Leverkusen that has seen him take the team to the top of the Bundesliga.

There has already been reports that there is a release clause in his Leverkusen contract that would allow him to join a big club if they came knocking.

Klopp took over Liverpool in 2015 from Brendan Rodgers, tasked with overhauling a struggling side that had come close to winning trophies, but had often fallen short.

He had to be patient for his first piece of silverware – which came in 2019 as his side beat Tottenham in the Champions League final.

One year later, he led his team to their first Premier League title win in 30 years as they romped to victory with 99 points to see off their bitter rivals Man City.

He was often involved in touchline rows with rival bosses in displays of passion and fury

Klopp also became well known for his hilarious one-liners and light-hearted moments during press conferences

The Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup followed and in the 2021-22 season his side won the double of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Klopp became renowned for his passionate displays on the touchline, bust-ups with rival managers, snappy retorts at journalists and often hilarious moments and displays of his lighter side in press conferences.

He was also a vocal critic of the Premier League’s notoriously jam-packed fixture schedule – and would never hold back if he felt his team had been on the wrong end of a bad refereeing or VAR call.