LONDON – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said on March 13 the return of Michael Edwards as Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football would have no bearing on his decision to leave Anfield at the end of the season.
The German has spoken to Edwards, with whom he had a successful relationship as the club’s sporting director until the Briton left after a decade of service in 2022, but there will be no dramatic U-turn.
Liverpool owners FSG targeted him for the new position to oversee the transition that will take place when Klopp leaves.
Asked whether Edwards has asked him about reversing his decision, Klopp said: “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.”
Klopp, who described Edwards as a “top choice”, reiterated that he had thought long and hard about his decision to step down as Liverpool manager.
“I don’t say these things without thinking about them before. 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,” added the German, who had said he needed a break during his bombshell announcement in January.
The Reds boss was speaking on the eve of the second leg of Liverpool’s Europa League last-16 match against Sparta Prague at Anfield, where they will be defending a 5-1 advantage. That match kicked off after press time.
When he announced his decision to leave, Klopp had spoken about laying the foundations for his successor.
With the League Cup already secured, Liverpool are targeting three more trophies – they are involved in a three-way English Premier League race, have an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on March 17 and are almost certain to progress to the Europa League quarter-finals.
“The club is in a really good place. I’m really happy... I said a few times I want to see the club in the best possible place after I left,” said the 56-year-old Klopp.
“Everything I can do while I am here I will do. After that, other people will have to do it. I think it’s (Edwards) a top solution.” AFP, REUTERS
