Liverpool moved a step closer to Jurgen Klopp’s exit last night after being dumped out of the Europa League.
Without any more games to play in cup competitions, the Reds now have just six matches left of Klopp’s glorious tenure.
As Jurgen waved goodbye to the supporters that made the trip to Atalanta last night, it suddenly became real. After almost nine years, he’s really leaving. This is the end.
Obviously, nobody will be more upset about that than Liverpool fans. The German has been a revelation at Anfield, energising the club from top to bottom during his years at the helm.
But, as it turns out, it isn’t only Liverpool fans – and Klopp’s first-team squad – who will be disappointed to see the back of Jurgen. Manchester City’s Phil Foden has today admitted that he too will be ‘sad’ to see a great adversary depart.
What has Phil Foden said about Jurgen Klopp
Obviously, Foden’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has built a long-standing rivalry with Klopp dating back to their shared time in the Bundesliga.
The Spaniard has often named Liverpool’s manager as the toughest opponent of his career. That’s quite the compliment.
And judging by Foden’s comments to The Daily Mail, the respect for Jurgen stretches to Guardiola’s playing staff, too.
The City man has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season. With 14 goals and seven assists in 30 games, he’s surely in the running for the Player of the Season award.
Once again embroiled in a title battle with Liverpool and Klopp though, Foden has taken time out to praise the leader of the team that could yet pip City to another championship.
“It’s a shame Jurgen Klopp is leaving. He’s been brilliant,” says the 23-year-old.
“To face his team isn’t nice but I think he is good for the game. He has changed Liverpool and it will be sad to see him go. I always want to play against the best.”
Will Klopp and Guardiola face each other again
The managers are really the sole reasons behind why Liverpool’s rivalry with Man City has been so good over recent years.
It has often been a clash of two styles. Patient, passing, slick football against slightly chaotic, blood and thunder ball. With such quality throughout both teams, it has made for a great watch.
As Jurgen prepares to leave though, it begs the question whether the two managers who have marked a generation will come up against each other ever again.
Guardiola seems to think so and has already said as much. But we’re not so sure. If it does happen, it certainly won’t be in the Premier League anyway. Should it eventually come about though, we – and Phil Foden by the sounds of it – will be watching.