Erik ten Hag says he ‘understands’ why out-of-energy Jurgen Klopp is quitting Liverpool after nine years as the Manchester United boss congratulates his rival on an ‘amazing job’

Erik ten Hag says he understands why Jurgen Klopp is quitting Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years at Anfield. 

The Manchester United manager praised Klopp for the job he has done in turning Liverpool into Champions League and Premier League winners since taking over in 2015, but acknowledged that the strain of the job will have taken its toll on the German.

‘I can understand that,’ said Ten Hag. ‘Nine years is a long time. I think it’s a period by building up and achieving targets, but also I think setbacks and going into difficult periods. The Premier League is very intense. 

‘The combination with European club football, when you’re there nine years it’s a long period and I can understand he is running out of energy, and that is one of his arguments to step down.’

Klopp’s departure is a blow for United’s arch rivals but Ten Hag takes the view that it is not necessarily good news for English football.

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 

‘It’s no good for the Premier League,’ he added. ‘So he has made an era there, he built the club, he brought the club back where they belong, so congratulations on that. He has done an amazing job in Liverpool.’

In a bombshell interview on Friday morning that has stunned 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 that he may never manage in football ever again.

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‘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 that – and she knows I don’t take these kind of things lightly – she is happy for me, that I’m happy with the decision. Because that’s the truth.’ 

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

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. 

‘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 underway to ensure the Reds succeed when the German has departed.