Klopp: No question of late U-turn
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp insists the return of Michael Edwards as Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football has not made him change his mind about leaving at the end of the season.
The German has spoken to Edwards, with whom he had a very successful relationship as the club’s sporting director until he left in 2022, after his appointment was confirmed on Tuesday, but there will be no dramatic U-turn.
Edwards spent over a decade at Anfield, initially as performance director, and owners FSG targeted him for a new role to oversee the huge transition which will take place this summer when Klopp leaves as the club also need a new sporting director – expected to be Bournemouth’s Richard Hughes – as well as a manager.
Asked whether Edwards has asked him about reversing his decision, Klopp said: “No, because – and it’s very important in his job – he’s not dumb.
“That was not a subject to talk about. Can you imagine if I changed my mind now? Can you? Of course not. It would be like when I said I’d never (move to) another club in England and next year I signed for our neighbours or a club who needs a coach.
“I don’t say these things without thinking about them before. It would mean I realise only now how great this club is – I have known about it all the time.
“For me it is the best club in the world and I am still leaving anyway. That’s what I’ve been trying to explain. I just want this club to do as well as somehow possible, and I’m really sure (that can happen) if we create a good basis with the right people in charge, and Michael is a top choice.
“I think it is a top solution, honestly, and our conversation was obviously great.”
With the Carabao Cup already secured, Liverpool are still involved in a three-way title race, have an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on Sunday and one foot in the last eight of the Europa League – in which they hold a 5-1 advantage ahead of Thursday’s last-16 second leg against Sparta Prague.