Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have expressed their "profound appreciation" for Jurgen Klopp following the extraordinary news that the Reds head coach will step down from his position at the end of the season.
Following an illustrious spell in the Anfield dugout spanning almost nine years, Klopp will cede control of the reins once the 2023-24 campaign comes to a close, a decision the German announced to supporters on Friday morning.
Klopp - who has won seven major honours as Liverpool head coach since taking the reins from Brendan Rodgers in 2015 - is still under contract at Liverpool until 2026, but he explained to club media that he is simply "running out of energy".
FSG were informed of Klopp's decision to resign from his post back in November, and president Mike Gordon told the Liverpool website that the American conglomerate are "hugely saddened" by the German's imminent departure.
"First and foremost, on behalf of John Henry and Tom Werner, I would like to state our profound appreciation for Jurgen," Gordon said. "It goes without saying that we will be hugely saddened to lose not just a manager of such calibre, but a person and leader for whom we have enormous respect, gratitude and affection. At the same time, we fully respect his wishes and the reasons why he has decided the current season will be his last at Liverpool."
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The announcement of Klopp's resignation triggered an outpouring of tributes from stunned Liverpool supporters, but the 56-year-old stressed in his extended interview that he is not looking for sympathy while the Reds are chasing a quartet of trophies.
While Klopp has accepted that there will be "a few sad faces" for "a few days" at Anfield, the German wants to go about his business as usual in the coming months, a stance which FSG have insisted they will respect.
"In keeping with Jurgen's expressed wishes, we will save the comprehensive tributes for a more appropriate time but nevertheless, we would be remiss if we did not take this opportunity to reaffirm that his appointment remains one of the greatest blessings of our time as owners," Gordon added.
"The incredible achievements of the intervening years speak for themselves, so too does the joy that Jurgen and his team have brought to all of us supporters. His many accomplishments will never be taken for granted.
"To appropriate an adage synonymous with another Liverpool managerial great, Jurgen Klopp 'made the people happy' and we have total confidence he will continue to do so until his eventual departure.
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"It is testament to Jurgen's unstinting professionalism and ongoing commitment to the best interests of Liverpool FC that his decision was arrived at in a way which allows for business as usual to be maintained for the remainder of his tenure while simultaneously creating an opportunity for us to prepare for the future.
"Our priority now is two-fold. First, to ensure that the progress that has been made on the pitch this season is maintained in the final months of the campaign. Second, to continue the due diligence behind the scenes which will allow our football operations department to adapt to a future without Jurgen.
"As ever, these ambitions will be pursued in the best interests of the club and its supporters and we will update fans as and when significant developments are made.
"Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to place on record our gratitude to Jurgen for everything he has done and continues to do for Liverpool Football Club. Thank you, Jurgen. When the time comes, you will never walk alone."
Klopp has taken charge of 466 games for Liverpool over the last eight-and-a-half years, achieving 283 wins, 105 draws and 78 defeats, and the Reds' first game since the German's decision was made public comes at home to Norwich City in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Ben Knapton
