LONDON • Jurgen Klopp has signed a new six-year contract at Liverpool, just nine months after arriving at the English football club as manager.

The club's owner, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), has been so impressed with the German, who guided predecessor Brendan Rodgers' squad to the League Cup and Europa League finals, that they approached him about an extension in order for him and them to plan better.

Klopp was initially contracted to 2018 with the option of another year. His senior backroom staff, Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz who followed him from Borussia Dortmund, have also signed extensions.

"It's hard to express in words how honoured myself, Zeljko and Peter feel by the commitment shown in us by the ownership and the club in general," said Klopp. "We are very much at the beginning of our journey, but to already have the connection we have with this very special place is incredible.

"There is much to do and much to achieve and we look to do this by being the most completely together group anywhere in the world... By being together at all times, we will be stronger, better and our successes sweeter."

Liverpool's principal owner, John Henry, the chairman, Tom Werner, and the FSG president, Mike Gordon, released a joint statement: "When you have an individual of Jurgen's quality in the building it makes perfect sense to secure that person for the long term. To not do so would be irresponsible.

"... He is a world-class managerial talent and his leadership will be critical to everything we hope to achieve in the years ahead."

THE GUARDIAN