What FSG said about Jürgen Klopp exit as moment Liverpool wanted to avoid finally arrives

This time tomorrow, Jürgen Klopp will have waved goodbye to Anfield for the final time. Liverpool will have played Wolves and the season — and therefore his tenure — will be over.

Klopp, who has been at the helm for nine years and led the team to numerous victories, including the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020, stated he is stepping down because he needs a break. And Fenway Sports Group (FSG) will need to find a way of moving beyond him.

That process has already begun, with Arne Slot expected to be named the new Liverpool head coach. Michael Edwards has been brought back as part of the restructure behind the scenes as well.

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Klopp's unexpected announcement sent shockwaves through the football community. He joined Liverpool in October 2015, replacing Brendan Rodgers under FSG's leadership. His tenure has been marked by a series of top-tier triumphs that solidified his status as a Liverpool legend.

Reacting to Klopp's decision, FSG chairman Mike Gordon articulated the US group's collective resolve to maintain normal operations until Klopp's departure, while also acknowledging the profound impact Klopp continues to have on Liverpool. Speaking on behalf of John Henry and Tom Werner, Gordon expressed deep appreciation for Klopp.

"We would like to state our profound appreciation for Jürgen," he said in January. "It goes without saying that we will be hugely saddened to lose not just a manager of such caliber, 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.

"In keeping with Jürgen’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.

"The incredible achievements of the intervening years speak for themselves, so too does the joy that Jürgen 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, Jürgen Klopp ‘made the people happy’ and we have total confidence he will continue to do so until his eventual departure.

"It is testament to Jürgen’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."

Gordon outlined FSG's immediate priorities as maintaining on-pitch progress for the rest of the season and conducting due diligence behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition post-Klopp. The next pressing question will of course be who takes over the reins. In his closing remarks, Gordon thanked Klopp for his invaluable contributions to Liverpool Football Club. "When the time comes, you will never walk alone," he said, echoing the club's iconic motto.

Liverpool.com says: An excellent tribute from Mike Gordon. If that's the abridged version, it gives an idea of the mountain of gratitude Klopp can expect on Sunday, when everyone pays their respects in full. Klopp has ultimately made the FSG tenure tenable. He has worked with fewer resources than immediate rivals and squeezed the absolute most from the players at his disposal, and will obviously go down as the best signing the owners ever made.

An original version of this story was first published on January 26. It has since been updated.