Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp reckons he knows exactly why Jurgen Klopp has decided to walk away from Liverpool at the end of the season, as reports from Spain continue to talk up the chances of the German taking on the Barcelona job once his Anfield days are over.
It’s approaching two weeks now since Klopp stunned the football world by announcing his decision to walk away from the Merseysiders at the end of the season, bringing to an end close to nine glorious years at Anfield. Having won six major trophies and reached four major European finals during his tenure, the 56-year-old’s place in the Liverpool history books is assured.
Speculation over who Liverpool opt for as his successor is quite rightly ramping up – and it seems that owners FSG have two men in the frame with reports stating Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi have both been shortlisted for the post.
In the meantime – and to aid that search – FSG have also appointed a man described as the ‘world’s greatest leader’ to lead their hunt and advise the club on Klopp’s replacement and following claims one man has been told the Anfield job is his ‘destiny’.
In addition to reports over whom the Reds will ultimately plump for, there are also many wondering exactly which job Klopp will take on next.
To that end, the charismatic German has seemingly been strongly linked to two posts: one with his national side and in succession to Julian Nagelsmann once this summer’s European Championships are over; and the Barcelona hotseat, for which Xavi has recently annouced he too will leave at the season’s end.
In the meantime, Klopp’s decision to walk away has drawn sympathy from former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who has major experience himself of the pressures involved at managing at the top level.
Redknapp managed close to 1400 games during a hig-profile 34-year career that started at Bournemouth and ended at Birmingham, but took on spells at the likes of West Ham and Tottenham in between.
The 76-year-old these days prefers the quiet life, making his money as an occasional pundit on TV and radio.
Asked about Klopp’s reasons to walk away – and the German has already revealed he’s run out of energy and looks forward to a more ‘normal life – Redknapp says he fully understands why the Liverpool boss has opted to quit.
“When you’re earning that money, everyone says ‘oh your life is amazing’. He just obviously feels he needs a break. You wouldn’t believe it looking at him…” Redknapp told the iNews.
“I watched him the other night when they won at Fulham, that big smile was there, he was loving it still. But underneath you don’t know. Pep [Guardiola] did it, he took a year off and came back. He’ll come back and every club in the world will want him,” Redknapp said.
“There’s just no escape anymore, social media, TV.
“When I first started, the only interviews you did was a couple of papers who would stand in the tunnel. Then suddenly Sky comes in, there’s press conferences after games, someone’s sticking a microphone under your nose as soon as you come off the pitch, you’ve had a bad day and the last thing you want to do is be asked questions. But that is the job now.”
