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Jurgen Klopp denies retirement claims and explains what's next after leaving Liverpool 'empty'

Jurgen Klopp during his speech to the Anfield crowd after his final match as Liverpool manager
Jurgen Klopp during his speech to the Anfield crowd after his final match as Liverpool manager -Credit:Clive Brunskill/Getty Images


Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he is not retiring from football but the Liverpool boss admitted he is now "empty" as a draining campaign came to an end on Sunday.

Having announced his decision to walk away in late January, an emotional afternoon saw the Reds beat Wolves 2-0 thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Jarell Quansah before Klopp was given a guard of honour from his players and staff at full time.

The outgoing manager was also presented with a specially-commissioned plaque from club owners Fenway Sports Group, who were present at Anfield to say their goodbyes to the manager who won eight trophies during his near nine-year stay on Merseyside.

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Klopp refuted suggestions he is done with management but reiterated the lack of energy levels he feels is needed to do the job of top-flight coaching effectively without a proper break.

In his final press conference, Klopp said: “I will work. I have just finished this job. I don’t know exactly why nobody believes I will probably not be a manager again, but I understand because obviously it seems to be a drug.

"It looks like that as everybody comes back and everybody works until they are 70-something. I have always had the idea I won’t do that. Other people are smarter and do it in different ways, but I have to be all-in. I have to be the spark, I have to be the energiser, I have to be all these kind of things. And I am empty. That’s it.

“My biggest worry today was that (goalkeeping coach) John Achterberg was coughing all the time next to me, and I thought I’d wake up tomorrow and I’ll be ill because he’s coughing in my direction! I have to start with the rest now and then we will see.

“It’s not that I’m looking outside for the next opportunity and which clubs are available and stuff like this. There will be opportunities but I’m not thinking ‘maybe in a year’s time I’ll take that’. In this moment, see you later.

“I have no clue [what I will do tomorrow]. Packing probably. I have enough things to do, private life must be planned as well but I’ve been here doing things and probably (wife) Ulla will update me where we go. I have no clue what’s coming up. We have a party tonight."