That’s all for now, folks. We’ll bid you farewell on a day when transfer news, or the ongoing conspicuous absence of any transfer news worth talking about, was completely overshadowed by the shock news that Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. Have a great weekend.
Newcastle United: Joelinton may have played his last game for the club, according to his manager Eddie Howe. The Brazil midfielder, who was originally signed as a striker, will be sidelined until May after undergpoing surgery on a thigh injury.
With just 18 months left on his contract, Newcastle could be forced to sell the laughing stock-turned-firm fan favourite in order to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
“He has 18 months left on his contract so it’s a possibility he’ll be sold in the summer,” said Howe. “I’m not a fortune teller but it’s a possibility. I hope that’s not the case. I want him to stay. I love him as a person and player but before a player signs a contract he has to be happy with everything and we are not there yet.”
Manchester United: On an otherwise good day for Manchester United fans, Erik ten Hag has revealed the club will not be signing a striker during the January window because of financial restraints.
“I looked but there is no space,” he told reporters ahead of his side’s FA Cup fourth round match against Newport County at Rodney Parade. “There is no space for FFP to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position. Of course, [Marcus] Rashford can play as a striker; we have some other alternatives and it’s clear that Anthony [Martial] is out for a couple of months it’s a gap in our squad, clear.”
Transfer news: While Jurgen Klopp has hijacked the majority of today’s headlines, it’s worth remembering that the slowest transfer window in history remains open. Spare a thought for Fabrizio Romano, who is being forced to survive on the thinnest of gruel.
🇸🇰 Excl: Hellas Verona open talks to sign Róbert Boženík from Boavista. Negotiations are concrete now.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 26, 2024
He could be the replacement for Milan Djurić who’s set to join Monza. pic.twitter.com/mjB1g9JRA9
An email: “I’m not a Liverpool fan, but this strangely hits harder than when I saw other legends like Wenger or Ferguson leave their positions,” writes Russell Yong. “I think it’s because Klopp’s tenure coincided with a massive upswing in the volume and venom of Internet bantz-trolling.
“Liverpool’s place in the footballing firmament, the conspicuousness of his position and his demeanour meant tons of people were aching to find reasons to hate him and, for someone who had no cause to be anywhere near that invested, I found I spent a lot of time defending what was clearly a nice man; a complex human being, to be sure, with faults and mistakes like everyone, but fundamentally someone whose heart and judgment were almost always in the right place.”
Russell meanders on at great length, without inserting so much as a single paragraph break, before apologising for his lack of brevity, but I think we get the general gist of his missive. Thank you, Russell.
Celtic: In slightly less incendiery news that may fly under the radar, Cameron Carter-Vickers has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract which will see him remain at the club until 2029.
“This is great news for us all that Cameron has extended his contract with the club,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
“He has been an absolute rock for us since he joined the club and has played to such a high standard so regularly, week in, week out.”
An email: “I’m a Liverpool supporter living in the Pacific NW,” writes Yogi. “I’ve been supporting the team for over 25 years growing up in Indonesia. As I woke up to this bombshell, perhaps due to the long distance or just me not fully up from my slumber, the news only felt like a numbing jab at the moment.
“However as I start to get ready for work, I’m coming to the realization I’m out of energy presumably just the way the big man had felt. I know for certain when the evening comes and as I lay in bed, I will feel the full force of this bombshell akin to an uppercut that will knock me out good.”
Football Daily is here ...
At the end of a fairly slow week, our free and occasionally funny daily email reacts to the bombshell news that Jurgen Klopp will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. Read on …
Klopp's press conference: the key points
Livepool’s manager insists he will take at least a year out and will never manage in England again.
He insists nothing could happen that will make him perform a u-turn on his deicsion to leave Liverpool,
He will not be taking any more questions about his departure between today and the end of the season.
He will not have a role in appointing his successor.
He says there “were tears” when he told certain unspecified people about his decision before going public.
He tells Liverpool fans it is important not to make the remaining games of the season all “about me”.
And there endeth Klopp's presser ...
Without fielding a single question regarding injuries, transfer targets or “knocks” to various players ahead of Sunday’s match against Norwich City, Klopp wraps up his press conference with a response to a query about whether or not there’s any one thing he’s looking forward to doing once he walks away from Anfield.
“I didn’t think about that yet because I’ve had no time to do that,” he says. “We’ll find things, you can believe it so nobody has to worry about that. OK, thank you very much.”
Billy Morgan on Klopp's send-off ...
“I had a conversation with my son who said I thought he was going to manage forever,” says Liverpool’s CEO. “We’ll have the right time and opportunity to look back and his career and the ride we’ve been on is extraordinary, who he is as a person, his charisma, the team that’s been built here is a massive credit to him.
“We want to get through today and get back to playing and winning football matches. His impact has been enormous as a colleague as a fan it has been equally so I hope that continues. We have targets ahead of us and that’s the main focus.”
Klopp's message to the fans ...
“As I said [in the video], I really hope you can accept my decision,” he says. “That’s how it is and besides that, I’m not in the mood for saying thank you 5,000,000 times. For now it’s about the rest of the season and we all know the rest of the world wants to disrupt that.
“It’s clear that opponents want to take each opportunity to make you weaker. That’s understandable and why it’s really important that our supporters don’t make these games about me. We need all the supporters for all the games, starting the day after tomorrow. Let’s squeeze everything we can out of this season.”
Could Klopp change his mind?
The Guardian’s Andy Hunter reminds Klopp that Sir Alex Ferguson once announced he was stepping down at the end of the season only to change his mind and asks if there is anything that might happen that might re-energise the :Liverpool manager and prompt him to do the same.
“No, nothing,” he says. “I respect Alex a lot and don’t know what drove him that time. I’ve thought this through and even if we win everything this season, I won’t change my mind. I want to win everything, of course, but if we don’t win anything, that wouldn’t change my mind either. This is a decision I made independent of any kind of results.”
Billy Hogan: 'I wouldn't want to set a timeline"
“The way we operate as a football club is too ensure that we have all the information, all the data … have done our proper due diligence and then we’ll make a decision and make an announcement at that time,” says the club CEO upon being asked if he had a specific target and timeline in mind for appointing Klopp’s successor.
“I understand the question but can’t commit to a timeline on it. It will go on in the background and you can be sure that we will be doing everything we can to make the right decision for this football club, as we always have. But it is important that it doesn’t become a distraction.”
Klopp: "This team is set up for the future"
“[I will manage] no club or no country for the next year and no English club ever,” he says. “I can promise that, even if I have nothing to eat – and that will not happen, thanks to Liverpool – and that’s all OK.
“This is too important to do at 50 per cent. This team is set up for the future. When I spoke about Liverpool 2.0, that didn’t include me obviously for the next 10 years but the team is there, the basis is there. Whoever comes in cannot give a guarantee to win trophies but they have a good chance to play really good football and that’s fine.”
Klopp: Liverpool’s manager tells the ladies and gentlemen of the Fourth Estate that “while I have nothing against you guys, I feel like I’ve been talking to you six days a week, every week and I’m really looking forward to not having to do that any more.”
Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan speaks: “Probably to put into words how significant this is, Jurgen talked about leaving club in better place than he found it 2015. There’s no doubt that he’s done that. As he said, he will be here for several more months. From our perspective, the news is sad and supporters share that sadness.
“This is about everyone seeing what happens outside but the amount of pressure - 24 years now - so I was surprised in a sense, but I understood it. It’s a sad day but also a credit to Jurgen that he’s come to the decision he wants. It will be an orderly process to replace him.
“The same process that brought us Jurgen will be undertaken now. Our ownership group, Mike Gordon in particular will be a part of that process but it won’t be a running commentary, we operate when we’re ready to talk about things. We won’t get into the name-game.”
Klopp: 'There were some tears'
“I had some talks in the last days when I had to tell other people before the public,” he says. “There were some tears. That’s normal when we were so long together. The club needs time to plan the future while we are in the present.”
Updated
Klopp: Asked if he will have a role in appointing his successor, the Liverpool manager says it is important that people know that he doesn’t do all the work at the club “because I couldn’t”. He goes on to say he doesn’t want to be the old man walking out the gate telling everyone remaining at the club “you should do this, you should do that”.
Klopp: “With all the responsibility you have in this job, you have to be top of your game,” he says. “I am, but I’ve been doing this 24 years now. When you had or have the career I had it’s almost impossible to start where I did and arrive at Liverpool.
“I always invested everything I had. I realised my resources are not endless and I prefer to pack everything into this season and then have a break or stop or whatever.
“This team we have with all the super things we have in this club, they need a manager at the top of his game and top level. I can’t be there any more. The alternative is I go into next season and I have to try and get through it, that’s not right. I told the club and the staff and since today everyone knows.
“I still think it’s the right thing to do. I don’t take these things lightly. I’m convinced it’s right.”
Klopp: ““Liverpool need a manager at the top of his game, at the top of their level and I can’t be that,” he says. “You realise we are not young rabbits anymore and we don’t jump as high as we did. I didn’t think about it on purpose, it just happened.”
Klopp on the reaction of his players: “I spoke the the players as a group and then I spoke to some of them separately after. THey didn’t have any questions yet because they are professionals and just want to get on with it. I wouldn’t say they threw a party.”
Jurgen Klopp: “Today I will answer 500,000 questions on this subject if you want, but that’s it then until the end of the season,” he tells reporters. “The club needs time to plan for the future while we deal with the present.”
Updated
Jurgen Klopp speaks ...
You can follow his press conference here …
Transfer news: Middlesbrough have signed defender Luke Thomas on loan from Leicester until the end of the season. The 22-year-old left-back had been on loan at Sheffield United but has his spell at Bramall Lane cut short earlier this month following the return of a few key players in that position from injury.
“We’re delighted to bring Luke to the club,” said Boro boss Michael Carrick. “He’s a good addition to the squad - he has plenty of experience and he will bring a balance to what we have. We’re looking forward to working with him.”
Greetings readers. With less than 30 minutes to go until Jurgen Klopp attends to his media duties ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Norwich City, his plans on how best to get the better of the visitors’ left-back Dimitiris Giannoulis in the absence of Mo Salah on Sunday afternoon is almost certain to be top of the agenda. Or maybe it won’t.
While it would be genuinely hilarious if reporters attending the press conference unanimously agreed, just for a laugh, to go the entire duration of the press conference without mentioning this morning’s bombshell announcement, it’s probably fair to say the subject of his departure from Anfield at the end of the season is likely to be the only show in town.
Updated
Time to hand over to Barry Glendenning, who will keep you updated with all the news and reaction – plus Klopp facing reporters at his news conference at 3pm GMT – so in about 30 minutes. Over to you, Barry …
“Norwich are the next team to visit Anfield on Sunday in the FA Cup – hardly a trip we are confident about considering recent results, and now this?” splutters Matt Taylor [not that one]. “A fired-up Liverpool team and Anfield paying tribute to a manager they love? God help us. I’m taking my nine-year-old as well for his first away game. Won’t someone please think of the children?”
Yikes – best of luck, Matt. Let’s just hope they don’t bring Luis Suárez back on a short-term deal before Sunday …
De Zerbi is among the early names in the frame – among bookmakers, at least – to replace Klopp. He’s asked for his thoughts, and if there is any update on his new Brighton contract.
“There’s no news [on my contract], but my focus is just on the last part of the season [with Brighton],” he straight-bats. His team visit Sheffield United in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
Here’s the Brighton manager, Roberto De Zerbi: “If [Klopp] changes country, the Premier League is losing one of the best coaches in the world.
“I can understand [Klopp running out of energy] … I think this work is the best work you can do, but it’s very tough, you need energy, you have to push every day, you have to study – you can’t stop your improvement.”
“I can’t help but compare Klopp leaving Liverpool to Alex Ferguson leaving Manchester United,” writes John Brennan. “While some Liverpool fans seem unhappy with FSG not spending enough money, Klopp keeps working with what he has. For example, he has put Conor Bradley – who was at Bolton last season – in at right back while Trent Alexander Arnold is out.
“Add to that the fact that it seems the whole backroom staff are leaving and some uncertainty in the upstairs roles – it just seems to chime with David Gill leaving at the same time as Ferguson. The only thing I would say is that FSG seem to have a better feel for a football club than the Glazers or Ed Woodward did.”
“I have a feeling Klopp will still outlast Erik ten Hag,” says Nick Smith.
“We’re gonna miss him you know (except Everton fans),” writes Colin Young. “But isn’t it rather damning that someone can feel too much pressure to do his job, especially when his team are top of the league in January? Is the pressure just too much for any one man?”
In news that has in no way been snuck out while everyone’s talking about Jürgen Klopp … Birmingham City will rename their home ground St Andrew’s Knighthead Park under a new naming rights agreement, with plans to rebrand the training ground and build a fan entertainment park close to the stadium.
The Blues claim the multi-million pound deal with club owners, Shelby Companies Limited, is the largest commercial agreement in their history. Shelby Companies Limited is majority-owned by Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company and other minority investors, including seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Here are the thoughts of the Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag: “He has made an era there, he built the club, brought them back where they belong. He’s done an amazing job … it’s not good for the Premier League.”
“Nine years is a long time. Building up, achieving targets, setbacks, difficult periods – the Premier League is very intense,” the Dutchman added. “I can understand if he feels he is running out of energy.”
If you’d told me a month ago (or even yesterday, to be honest) I’d be watching Erik ten Hag still in post, talking about Jürgen Klopp leaving Liverpool … funny old game, isn’t it?
Updated
A couple more reads from our archive, starting with Donald McRae’s interview with the Liverpool manager in 2018:
And here’s Barney Ronay on the greatest night of Klopp’s tenure, when a sixth European Cup was delivered with a 2-0 win over Tottenham.
Xabi Alonso: 'I don't know what will come next'
Xabi Alonso is now speaking at his pre-game Leverkusen press conference, which probably has a few more eyes on it than usual.
“First of all it was a surprise, but I have huge respect for Jürgen,” Alonso said. “Huge admiration before coming to Liverpool and during his years it has grown bigger, what he has achieved and the way he has achieved it.”
“At the moment, I am really happy here [at Leverkusen] and enjoying my work here,” Alonso added. “I’m feeling each day and each game is a challenge and we are in an intense but in a beautiful journey here in Leverkusen.
“I am trying to give my best to help my players be ready for the next thing, and that’s my goal. What will come next, I don’t know.”
“I’m absolutely gutted by today’s news. And whoever comes in next could struggle to meet expectations,” writes Dan Lescure. “Alonso would probably be most fans’ preferred choice but this team has been constructed to play Klopp’s style, so whatever comes next, there can’t be too big a departure from that.”
A little more on Mayra Ramírez, who made our recent list of the top 100 women’s footballers at No 98 (hey, it still counts!)
"Colombia’s Ramírez is a very welcome new addition. While Alba Redondo and Linda Caicedo stole the headlines for Levante and Colombia respectively, Ramírez played a pivotal role in both attacks. Her return for Levante last season of 14 goals and 11 assists was one of the best in Europe, and her versatility and energy shone through for Colombia at the World Cup as she succeeded in several roles in the attack. Three goals so far this season has been a steady start, and the 24-year-old has quietly become one of the under-the-radar stars of the European club scene.
WSL: Chelsea sign Colombia forward Mayra Ramírez
Another big move confirmed: Chelsea Women have signed Mayra Ramírez from Levante [where were all these transfers yesterday, murmurs beleaguered live blogger] for an undisclosed fee.
Sky are reporting that the price surpasses the £300,000 club record fee for Pernille Harder in 2020, and could be a world-record fee if add-ons are paid.
“I am very honoured to be a part of Chelsea. To be part of such a huge club is a dream come true and one I’ve had since I was a little girl,” said Ramírez after signing a four-and-a-half year contract.
General manager Paul Green added: “Mayra is a dynamic forward who can play anywhere across the front line. She has great physicality, athleticism and a good goal scoring record. We’re all excited with what she can bring to the squad now and in the long-term.”
Updated
All media for the next week at a minimum @niallmcveigh https://t.co/7i0HD7LaYZ
— Gary Naylor 85 (@garynaylor85) January 26, 2024
I thought of this very clip myself, Gary. Can I sum today’s news up in a word? No. In a sound? Woooaaarrgh.
Updated
Some more reaction from around the football world …
Graeme Souness: “I’m amazed, I just think the demands of that job, it’s one of the best jobs in the world if you get it right and he has done that. Jürgen Klopp is such a perfect fit for Liverpool – he’s aggressive, emotional and confrontational but that takes a toll. The pressure of being a manager at a big football club is enormous.”
Edin Terzic, Dortmund manager: “Jürgen is an outstanding person. I was lucky enough to get to know him here. He has shaped our club and Liverpool like no other. I am sure that there will be another station in his coaching life, there will be a place where he will do a similarly good job.”
Thomas Tuchel, Bayern manager: “Kloppo is one of the very best coaches in the world, he has always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. It’s big news.”
While there’s plenty of talk about successors and what’s next for Jürgen Klopp, many of you are still reeling from the news.
“I’m heartbroken and a bit bewildered, if I’m honest. Why now? Why sign up until 2026?” writes Sally. “A wonderful manager who quite simply ‘got us’.”
“I knew this day would come but it’s incredibly sad,” writes Tim Vellani. “All I want to say is thank you, Jürgen from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for Liverpool. So much joy and pride over the last nine years.”
An intriguing piece of information from Bild, who claim that Xabi Alonso has a release clause in place that allows him to leave this summer, but only for Liverpool, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid – all teams he previously played for.
Alonso is under contract until 2026 and is on course to lead Leverkusen, unbeaten in the league this season, to their first Bundesliga crown. The last manager to win the German title with a team other than Bayern Munich? Jürgen Klopp, of course.
“Maybe there’s a chance for everyone’s favourite anti hero to get one last chance at the big time. Someone who knows the game inside out, has bags of charisma, and really strong leadership skills … I give you Mr Neil Warnock,” writes Neil Warn Matt Dunnill.
“Personally I don’t mind who they get next, as long as it’s not José Mourinho, because he’s the next England manager.” I’m still hoping Didier Drogba might be able to convince José to take on the Ivory Coast job, just for the Afcon knockouts.
Sheffield United sign Atlético keeper Ivo Grbic
Another done deal: Ivo Grbic has joined Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee. “This is the best challenge for me,” the Croatian told the club website. “I’m sure it will be an amazing experience. I played in the Champions League with Lille and played for Atlético last season. I know I am ready now for this challenge.”
“There has been an enthusiasm to tie down a goalkeeper to a long-term deal,” said Chris Wilder. “We have done our homework on Ivo and we believe he can be an important member of our squad. We are looking forward to working with him.”
Grbic is the Blades’ second signing of the week following the arrival of teenage centre-back Sam Curtis – labelled “one for the future” by Wilder – from Irish side St Patrick’s on Thursday. The keeper could make his debut against Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday.
“I’m waking up to this news in the US and it’s a big shock,” writes Luke Jones. “But after that, my feeling is relief. Klopp has seemed more prickly and grouchy in the last couple of years. You can just see that the job is grinding him down. The man needs a break. You have to respect him even more for being the kind of guy who can recognise that and make a really hard decision to walk away.”
I do think Klopp will take a break before his next job – similar to his sabbatical after Dortmund before taking up the reins at Anfield.
Updated
Some more reaction to Klopp’s announcement, from Jamie Carragher. “This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it came,” he wrote on X. “I just thought it would be another few years away. What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”
The former Liverpool midfielder Ray Houghton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “What he’s done for this club and his time being in charge, nothing short of phenomenal. To get them back winning the league, getting them to major finals, getting that pride back in the football club, the joy of playing for Liverpool.”
“It’s one of those moments isn’t it?” says Paul Griffin. “The very air seems piquant and electric with the new information. Neurons grappling to process new pathways. Everyone will remember exactly what they were doing when Mohamed Diomandé arrived from Nordsjælland on loan at Rangers.”
Carsley to turn down Republic of Ireland approach
Lee Carsley is set to stay in charge of England’s Under-21 side and turn down an approach to become the manager of the Republic of Ireland men’s team. Ireland are looking for a new head coach following the departure of Stephen Kenny and they have looked at Carsley, who represented them as a player.
However it is understood that the former Everton midfielder wants to stay in his current job. Carsley led the U21s to glory at last summer’s Euros and staying within the St George’s Park set-up would make him a candidate to replace Gareth Southgate when an opening to take over England’s senior team eventually appears.
Southgate’s contract runs until December. He signed a new deal after the last World Cup, having considered walking away at the end of the tournament, and it remains to be seen if he decides to stay on after Euro 2024 this summer.
The early contenders to replace Klopp, according to the bookies at least, include Xabi Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann and Zinedine Zidane. But Paul Devine has another idea …
“Arne Slot, the Feyenoord head coach, would be a perfect match. Slot and Klopp have similar football philosophies: building up from the back, possession, high levels of fitness, speed when counterattacking and patience in laying siege to the opponents’ penalty box.”
Slot won the Dutch title with Feyenoord last season, and was linked with the Tottenham job before Ange Postecoglou was appointed.
Schmadtke to step down as Liverpool sporting director next week
We mentioned him earlier, but Jörg Schmadtke won’t be playing any part in Liverpool’s succession plan. Liverpool have just announced that he will leave the club after the January transfer window.
“We would like to place on record our gratitude to Jörg for the important role he has played since joining Liverpool last summer,” said FSG president Mike Gordon.
“He has made a valuable contribution, both in terms of the support he provided to Jürgen Klopp and the assistance and guidance given to our outstanding football operations department.”
Crystal Palace look set to sign Daniel Muñoz from Genk after agreeing to pay an £8.5m fee for the Colombia right-back. The 27-year-old had missed training in an effort to force through his move to Selhurst Park and is now expected to travel to London to complete his move.
Talks are continuing with Blackburn over a deal for Adam Wharton after Palace’s £18.5m bid for the 19-year-old was rejected. The Championship side are thought to want closer to £25m for the England Under-20 midfielder.
“You have to think that Klopp would have told the players about his decision to leave a few weeks ago or more,” writes Rob Vile. “Do you think the news might have galvanised them and played a part in their uptick in form, as they want to send Klopp out on a high and with another trophy or two?”
I haven’t seen any immediate reaction from the players, and I would imagine your theory here is correct, Rob. I keep thinking of the fact that Klopp’s only title win was sealed in an empty stadium; surely everyone at Anfield will be desperate to put that right this season.
“I am absolutely not okay. I can only hope that Klopp takes a break from football because it will genuinely hurt to see him managing another team any time soon, silly as that may sound,” writes Sam Trenery. “It’s hard to even think of a replacement. Xabi looks like a great choice but it’s almost like being asked to pick your new dad!”
This was once, many moons ago, a transfer news blog – so let’s update you on a new arrival at Rangers. Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Diomandé has arrived from Nordsjælland on loan, with an obligatory purchase clause in the summer.
“I am very excited to join such a historic club and I’ve heard a lot of good things about the team,” Diomandé said. “I really can’t wait to get started, join up with my teammates, and run out at Ibrox for the very first time in front of the Rangers fans.”
Diomandé is Philippe Clement’s second signing of the January window after the arrival of Fábio Silva on loan from Wolves.
“Never mind the German national team!” roars David Hopkins. “I hope and expect that the English FA briefly awoke this morning, after sleeping off their full English with kippers, and booked time to give Jürgen a call.”
“Assuming that Gareth Southgate will move on after the Euros, who better to harness the new generation of Jude Bellingham et al along with the later Harry Kane years?” I like your thinking, but if Klopp is weary of the grind and pressure of management, the England job might be the last thing he needs.
“I’m absolutely shocked,” writes Stephen Carr [presumably not the former Spurs full-back]. “My cousin just announced his engagement on the family WhatsApp group and its fair to say his news has been somewhat overshadowed.” Ouch! Bad timing.
“Liverpool have to get Xabi Alonso in,” Stephen adds. “You can’t just be a good manager here. It requires an emotional connection. Klopp developed that brilliantly and Xabi has it already.”
Jan Egil Romestrand, who sounds like he could have played for Liverpool in the mid-90s, is worried about the boardroom situation.
“Klopp and his entire staff are leaving, with Jörg Schmadtke only an interim sporting director. An announcement that Michael Edwards is returning to sort things out would be hugely comforting right now.”
“In terms of the name game for the main gig, Xabi Alonso is the one to target. If he can’t or won’t, it opens up quite a bit. Maybe Roberto de Zerbi?”
From the archive, here’s Andy Hunter on the day Klopp arrived at Anfield in October 2015, promising “emotional football” and trophies within four years.
“It is the intensity of the football, of how the people live football in Liverpool, all the Liverpool fans around the world,” Klopp said at his unveiling. “It is not a normal club, it is a special club. I had two very special clubs with Mainz and Dortmund. It is the perfect next step for me to be here and try and help.”
“The news of Jürgen Klopp leaving Liverpool, even though I’m not a Liverpool fan left me quite emotional,” writes Sola Odarinde. “His teams and his personality have been an absolute joy to the Premier League, and he will be missed. But like Matt Dony said, I hope they are reaching out to the guy at Leverkusen …”
You can now watch Jürgen Klopp’s video message at the top of the page – hit refresh if you can’t see anything yet.
So, questions. Where does the German rank among Liverpool’s best managers? How about among the best managers in the English top flight as a whole? In the Premier League era, you could argue there’s a clear top five, and he belongs in it alongside Ferguson, Wenger, Mourinho and Guardiola.
Also: what will Klopp do next? There are projects waiting for him at Bayern Munich and with the Germany national team – but maybe a break is in order first. Finally: who might replace him at Anfield? Xabi Alonso? Ange Postecoglou? Roy Hodgson? Drop me a line with your thoughts.
Some more quotes from Klopp on his decision to call time at the end of the season: “[When] a season starts, you plan pretty much the next season already. When we sat there together talking about potential signings [and] the next summer camp, I thought: ‘I’m not sure I’m here then anymore’ and I was surprised myself by that. I obviously start thinking about it.
“Last season was kind of a super-difficult season and there were moments when at other clubs probably the decision would have been, ‘we should end it here’. That didn’t happen here, obviously, [but] for me it was super, super, super-important that I can help to bring this team back onto the rails. It was all I was thinking about.
“Let’s now really go for it. The outside world want to use this decision, laugh about it, want to disturb us,” he said. “We are Liverpool, we went through harder things together. And you went through harder things before me. Let’s make a strength of it. That would be really cool. Let’s squeeze everything out of this season and have another thing to smile about when we look back in the future.”
Currently trending on Twitter: #FSGOut, Nagelsmann, Big Ange and Steve Bruce …
“Klopp will go down as Liverpool’s second best manager,” writes Kev McCready, inviting all kinds of cheap gags. “He got Liverpool – both the team and the city – as much as we got him. He’ll be missed, but the club is always bigger than one component.”
Meanwhile, Matt Dony is heartbroken, but also wondering what comes next. “Someone had better be on the phone to Leverkusen,” he sniffs.
Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool: a brief history
Klopp arrived at Anfield in October 2015, replacing Brendan Rodgers and leading the team to the League Cup and Europa League finals that season – losing to Manchester City and Sevilla respectively. He then took the club back into the Champions League in 2017-18 and led them all the way to the final, where they lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in Kyiv.
In 2018-19, Liverpool finished second to City in the title race with 97 points and won their sixth European Cup after overturning a three-goal deficit against Barcelona in the semi-final and then beating Spurs 2-0 in the Madrid final. In the following season, Klopp added the European Super Cup and Club World Cup, before a runaway title bid was paused by the Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown.
When the season resumed behind closed doors, Liverpool secured their first title since 1990, ending the season with 99 points. In 2021-22, Liverpool finished second to City again, this time on 92 points, and completed an FA Cup and League Cup double, beating Chelsea in both finals.
After finishing fifth last season, Klopp’s resurgent side are currently top of the table and in contention for a quadruple of trophies. They have reached the Carabao Cup final and are still in the hunt for the FA Cup and Europa League – and also won the first Community Shield of the Klopp era last August, against old rivals City.
Liverpool have also confirmed that Klopp’s assistants, Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, will leave at the end of the season along with the club’s elite development coach, Vitor Matos. I have to say, I would have had Lijnders down as a potential replacement for Klopp to take things forward.
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Here’s a video message from Klopp, which will probably be quite an emotional watch for you Liverpool fans out there.
Watch or read our emotional interview with Jürgen Klopp in full as he discusses today’s news in detail and explains the reasons for his decision.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 26, 2024
Klopp held a press conference on Thursday and offered no hint of today’s big news, instead discussing the psychology of penalty shootouts and playing down some very early talk of a quadruple.
“I didn’t think about it, because we are far off having four finals,” he said. “We qualified for one. But we learned that year it makes no sense to plan the next one if you didn’t even play the first one.”
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Klopp 'running out of energy' for Liverpool job
More on Jürgen Klopp’s shock decision to leave Liverpool this summer, two years before the end of his contract, from Andy Hunter.
Klopp says he had told the owners in November of his intention to leave. “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,” Klopp said.
“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
“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.
“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.”
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Jürgen Klopp to leave Liverpool at end of season
Some absolutely huge breaking news to bring you: Liverpool have announced that Jürgen Klopp will step down as manager at the end of the season.
Jürgen Klopp has announced his decision to step down as #LFC manager at the end of the season, having informed the club’s ownership of his wish to leave his position in the summer.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 26, 2024
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Eddie Howe has continued a candid press conference with his thoughts on FFP/PSR rules, and the future of Joelinton at the club.
“It has been a difficult window so far, as you can imagine for us,” he said. “It’s the first time since I’ve been manager of the club that we’ve been linked with players leaving and that creates an unsettling dynamic.
Howe described Joelinton’s long-term injury as “a massive blow” and accepted the Brazilian, who has 18 months left on his contract, could depart in the summer. “It’s a possibility [he could leave] but I hope that’s not the case. I want him to stay.”
On potential new arrivals: “Things are changing on a daily basis. We’re working behind the scenes on targets. But there’s no guarantee it will happen. It’s my end to try and leave the window with the strongest squad possible.”
Howe has also moved to cool speculation that any other players could leave Newcastle before deadline day, saying he wants to “keep our best players” with Miguel Almirón and Callum Wilson linked with moves in January.
“For us and for me sat here now, I want to keep our best players. I want to keep every player in a squad that is very thin on the ground at the moment, so contemplating losing a player at this stage would be very difficult for me personally.”
On Almirón, Howe added: “There has been a lot of noise and speculation about his future, but as his manager I’m desperate to keep him.”
On Wilson, he said: “It’s been a strange one. A lot of speculation and a lot of it unfounded … In every conversation, he’s 100% committed. No part of him is looking elsewhere.
“He’s got big ambitions and we want to keep him here. But some things are out of our control. The club is acting with the long-term interests of the club and they have to. Let’s see what happens.”
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Eddie Howe is confident Kieran Trippier will not leave Newcastle this month, after Bayern Munich saw three bids rejected this week and then cooled their interest.
“His situation is finished as far as everyone is concerned: Kieran, myself,” the Newcastle manager said. “But I’ve just been in football long enough to never ever say 100% because I don’t want to look stupid.
But Kieran is 100% committed and we definitely want to keep him. It’s a huge compliment that a club like Bayern are interested in [Trippier]. It’s no surprise to me because he’s an outstanding player.”
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Leander Dendoncker joins Napoli on loan
Another done deal! Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker has joined Napoli on loan for the rest of the season. The Belgian is the fourth new recruit for the defending Serie A champions this month as they bid to turn their season around, and they are expected to add Udinese defender Nehuén Pérez later today.
Dendoncker has made 15 appearances for Villa this season, with his only goal coming at Old Trafford in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. having joined from Wolves in 2022. According to Fabrizio Romano, Napoli have also agreed a €9m summer purchase option for the 28-year-old.
🔵🇧🇪 Leander Dendoncker, new Napoli player on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 26, 2024
Buy option clause: €9m. pic.twitter.com/0XUnqM3jEY
Catch up on this morning’s hottest gossip, with John Brewin.
Here’s more on Phillips’ arrival and West Ham’s other transfer plans – with Pablo Fornals one potential departure as David Moyes looks to add another winger.
Kalvin Phillips completes West Ham loan move
Let’s jump straight in with a done deal – Kalvin Phillips has joined West Ham on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City.
“I’m really pleased to be here,” Phillips said after completing a move, albeit with no purchase option in place yet. “There’s so much to look forward to in the second half of the season for the club and I can’t wait to be part of it.
“There’s an unbelievable group here and if I can come in and add the quality that I know I’m capable of, I’m sure we can give the West Ham fans plenty to be excited about between now and the end of the season.”
The West Ham manager David Moyes said: “We are really pleased to bring a player of Kalvin’s quality to West Ham United. We’ve been big admirers of him for a long time and we believe that he will add strength and competition to our squad.”
Phillips joined City from Leeds United two summers ago for £42m but has never established himself. On Thursday, Pep Guardiola said: “Hopefully he can play the minutes he deserves and I couldn’t give to him. He’s an exceptional human being and football player … hopefully he can prove what he really is.”
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Preamble
As Joey Tempest once sang, it’s the final countdown. There are seven days to go in the transfer window and with purse strings finally loosening in a few boardrooms, things are about to get wild. Or at least, very interesting. Mildly interesting.
One player who could be on the move is Callum Wilson, valued at £18m and coveted by no fewer than four Premier League clubs – West Ham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. What will Eddie Howe have to say about that? We’ll find out later on.
We will also check in with Jürgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag, one of whom could probably use about £100m in the next week or so. We’ll keep you updated on EFL and European deals, and also take a peek at Mohamed Salah’s hamstring, if time allows.
