Before Jurgen Klopp was appointed as Liverpool manager in 2015, the club held a “secret meeting” with the German player in Manhattan to identify a new manager.
Liverpool have begun the recruitment process to find Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, with Mike Gordon expected to lead the search from Boston.
Klopp, who won major trophies including the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup during his time at Anfield, announced last month that he would be leaving the Reds at the end of this season. This marks the end of Klopp’s glorious tenure on Merseyside, which lasted approximately nine years since he was appointed manager in October 2015.
The news came as a shock to many Liverpool supporters around the world, but the process of finding Klopp’s successor has already begun. According to the Daily Mail, Gordon will be responsible for taking charge in the United States and will look for a suitable successor to replace the German player.
If the recruitment process is anything like it was in 2015, Liverpool could continue to do so firmly behind closed doors. Ahead of replacing Brendan Rodgers, Klopp and his agent Marc Kosicke were invited to Manhattan for a secret interview as the former Borussia Dortmund manager named Carlo Ancelotti as his successor.
Klopp is said to have expressed his excitement to be working with his current team, while Ancelotti insisted he could return Liverpool to greatness with a few additions. Klopp has managed to change the Reds’ fortunes on the pitch without having to spend as much money as Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal.
Klopp and Fenway Sports Group have been shrewd in the transfer market, bringing in a high percentage of signings in the £20m to £40m range, including Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Georginio Wijnaldum. Players like Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino were with the Reds before Klopp arrived and were instrumental in the Reds winning several major accolades before leaving last summer.
Liverpool have drawn up a short list of candidates to replace Klopp, which includes Brighton’s Roberto de Zerbi and Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim. Will Spearman, the club’s head of research, will take some control of the process to narrow down potential candidates.
After his departure was confirmed last month, manager Klopp said: “I can understand that a lot of people are in shock at this moment. It’s the first time I’ve heard it, but obviously I can explain it, or at least try to explain it.”
“I love everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about the supporters, I love the team, I love the staff, I love everything. Making a decision shows that I’m confident.” That’s what I have to take.
“What can I say, I’m running out of energy. I don’t have any problems right now, of course I’ve known for a long time that I’d have to publish someday, but I’m totally fine now. I can’t do this job. I know I can’t repeat it over and over again.”
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