Klopp admits past success is keeping him in Liverpool job after difficult season
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted he might find himself on the growing list of Premier League managerial casualties this season were it not for his past achievements at Anfield.
Sunday’s exits of Brendan Rodgers from Leicester and Graham Potter from Chelsea made it a record 12 managerial departures in the Premier League this season – not counting Potter’s decision to leave Brighton for Stamford Bridge – with managers under pressure like never before.
It is only a year since Liverpool came within a couple of games of an unprecedented quadruple, losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid and finishing a point behind Manchester City in the title race, but even so discontent was growing among fans after Saturday’s 4-1 loss to City at the Etihad Stadium.
“I think the elephant in the room is why I am still sitting here in this crazy world,” said Klopp, who has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield.
“I’m aware of the fact I’m sitting here because of the past and not because of what we did this season.
“If this was my first season it would be slightly different. Yes, we have smart owners who know about the situation. Better ask them why that’s the case.”
When asked why clubs were being so quick to make changes, Klopp put it down to underachievement on the pitch and admitted Liverpool are in that category this term.
“It’s 12 [managers] this season, which is an awful number,” he said. “It is how it is.
“I think there are always years when it happens more than others. Some clubs are underachieving this year and obviously we do.
“Especially when you are in a relegation battle then clubs know how much it means from a financial point of view but you could say similar about getting into the Champions League and not. There are expectations and rightly so, and if you don’t reach them you have to accept the decisions.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea interim manager Bruno Saltor has described Potter’s exit as a “sad day” for the club, ahead of today’s Premier League game against the Merseysiders at Stamford Bridge.
Potter was sacked on Sunday night after the Blues dropped into the bottom half of the table following their 2-0 home defeat against Aston Villa 24 hours earlier.
“I just spoke to Graham five minutes ago,” Bruno revealed at the start of his first press conference yesterday.
“Obviously, it’s been a difficult 24 hours for all of us, for the staff, for the families and now we just have to deal with the situation.
“It is a sad day. A sad day for staff because of Graham and Billy [Reid, assistant coach] leaving, two top coaches, top people, top human beings.
“How I see it is I have to be the most professional I can, try to help the players, guide the players to prepare for the game the best we can.
“If I am here right now it’s because of Graham and the club, they thought it was the right step and I’m here just trying to help the club and trying to be the most professional I can.”