Jurgen Klopp reveals the exact moment he 'knew' he had to QUIT Liverpool, says he won't u-turn like Sir Alex Ferguson once did and hopes to live a 'normal life' as he speaks out on decision to resign

Jurgen Klopp has revealed when he decided to walk away from LiverpoolKlopp has confirmed he will leave the club after nine years this summerA sad crestfallen manager saying goodbye. This is a seismic moment for Liverpool - It's All Kicking Off

Jurgen Klopp has pinpointed the moment he knew he had to leave Liverpool after announcing he will walk away from the club at the end of the season.

Klopp announced his decision to leave the club on Friday morning, despite Liverpool being in the midst of an outstanding campaign that sees them still in the hunt for four trophies.

But Klopp revealed at a special press conference on Friday afternoon that he has been thinking about his future for a number of months, and realised he had to quit following last summer’s hectic transfer window, which saw the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho leave for Saudi Arabia during a major transitional period at Anfield.

‘The summer was a difficult one. We were working really hard to bring in the right players. The summer and preparation we had was outstanding. That gave me a lot of joy. But it’s not about that,’ he explained.

‘I love the team and how we react, but it’s the stuff we have to do next to it. The planning – the transfer window isn’t just the window – you need to be spot on as well. Then I realised that’s something I cannot [continue]… I did it so often. Six press conferences a week for nine years!’

Jurgen Klopp has revealed the moment he knew he had to walk away from Liverpool

Klopp is proud of his team’s rebuild this season, but admits last summer’s transfer window drained him

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Klopp’s revelation followed a bombshell interview he gave to Liverpool’s official website just hours earlier when he confirmed he would be walking away this summer after winning every major trophy available during his nine years on Merseyside.

‘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.

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.’

Klopp has won every major trophy during his time at Liverpool, including the Champions League in 2019

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

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.

While several players left last summer, others arrived in the shape of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo, and Liverpool have bounced back from their disappointing 2022-23 season to lead the title race this term.

Some may wonder whether Klopp could be tempted to see the transition through after rebuilding his squad, and he would not be the first high-profile manager to perform a u-turn.

Klopp has insisted he will not reverse his decision like Sir Alex Ferguson did in 2002

Sir Alex Ferguson famously reversed his decision to quit Manchester United in 2002, and went on to remain at Old Trafford for another 11 years.

But Klopp has insisted there is no chance of him following in the Scot’s footsteps.

‘No, nothing. If I won everything this season, it wouldn’t change my mind,’ Klopp stated.

‘I had to make the decision. I thought it through properly. It’s independent of any kind of result this season.

‘The big one is I can see there is a really good basis for this team. That’s why it’s a good moment to give it to someone else.’

Klopp has now managed three different clubs in Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool over the last 23 years with very little time in between jobs to recharge his batteries.

Klopp is looking forward to taking a break from football so he can live a ‘normal life’

He admitted he is looking forward to having a break to live a ‘normal life’, and reiterated that he will never manage another club in England after leaving Liverpool.

‘I have never lived a (normal) life. That is true,’ he added.

‘Having three or four weeks in the summer was enough, but not any more.

‘No club, no country for the next year, no other English club ever, I can promise that. Even if I have nothing to eat, it will not happen.’