Pretty OT: Klopp out at Liverpool
In a potential parallel to Harbaugh leaving Michigan, Jurgen Klopp has left Liverpool, citing "Running out of energy".
Both managers took over their clubs in 2015, have very good W-L records, ended 30-ish year title droughts, and are arguably going out on top. Just goes to show that nothing gold can stay.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:19 PM ^
In further parallels, both took over historic clubs that were in pretty rough shape when they took them over, and had insanely talented rivals that they went toe-to-toe with.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:20 PM ^
Definitely OT - but certainly more relevant and intelligent information shared than "Jack Harbaugh for AD".
And kudos to the Robert Frost poem reference - just another example of something you will never see on the RCMB.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:30 PM ^
And kudos to the Robert Frost poem reference - just another example of something you will never see on the RCMB.
Not true. Why, just yesterday I came across this little offering to Erato from our friends on the Red Cedar:
Something there is that doesn't love a blue wall.
Yeah, me, you motherf**kin' Walvie scUM ball.
January 26th, 2024 at 5:05 PM ^
LOL the "Blue Wall" absolutely slays me. If that was a real thing, the signgate bullshit would never have become much of anything, instead it's now known as the GREATEST SCANDAL IN THE HISTORY OF WORLD SPORTS, over there.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:21 PM ^
His style of coaching, and the football world he implemented at Liverpool, were incredibly demanding. I can imagine he'd need a break, but i would also imagine that, at just 56 years old, he won't be retired permanently, being such an incredibly high energy guy. Clubs forever in want of a manager will eventually throw bajillions at him to lure him back
January 26th, 2024 at 2:40 PM ^
He's already said he's only planning on taking a year sabbatical, so he'll be back somewhere. But he did vow that he will not coach for an english team (not because he dislikes em, but isn't going to compete against liverpool directly.)
So i'm holding onto the dream that he'll come coach the USMNT :D
January 26th, 2024 at 5:00 PM ^
He should go back to Dortmund and make them respectable again.
Alonso next on deck for Liverpool
January 26th, 2024 at 6:05 PM ^
First the DFB should give him a chance to win a world cup. He can always go back to club coaching afterwards.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:23 PM ^
As a fan of the Gunners, I'm quite happy.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:30 PM ^
***NO***
He is leaving AT THE END OF THE SEASON. He is not "out".
LFC still able to win a Quadruple under Klopp this season, should things go well. (Er, guess they'd have to go very, very, very, very well.)
January 26th, 2024 at 2:32 PM ^
Thought it strange he’d leave with them sitting at the top of the table.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:45 PM ^
Liverpool didn't qualify for the Champions League this year so what's the quadruple?
January 26th, 2024 at 3:02 PM ^
- Premier League
- Europa (Champions League jr)
- Carabao Cup
- FA Cup
He's won all of them before other than Europa so it would be nice to see him claim that one but the Premier League would be the best of the bunch.
January 26th, 2024 at 3:05 PM ^
Does Carabao Cup really count?
January 26th, 2024 at 5:06 PM ^
It does if you're going for the quadruple...
January 26th, 2024 at 6:12 PM ^
Technically it counts. If it was the only trophy they won it would be small consolation, that's for sure.
January 26th, 2024 at 2:35 PM ^
I am so much more distraught about Klopp leaving than I was about Harbaugh leaving. I'm pretty sure that it's just because the Harbaugh change was clearly coming over the years and Klopp is totally out of nowhere but man... this morning was rough.
Xabi come on down!
January 26th, 2024 at 4:46 PM ^
I think there was some noise about Klopp being worn down last season and potentially the one before, wasn't there? Though he certainly did seem to be re-energized this season. But yeah, this felt like a real dong punch when I read it this morning. Michigan has a much clearer blueprint for how to go on without Harbaugh than Liverpool has for life after Klopp.
That said, as for Xabi: yes, please. Off the top of my head, I can't think of a better hire. (Also, has been one of my favorite Liverpool players ever since I started following the team. Which is not a great reason to want him as a manager, I know -- for every Kenny Dalglish, there's a cautionary Stevie G. out there.)
January 26th, 2024 at 2:42 PM ^
Probably sees the Bayern job opening up in a couple months and wants a break before diving in there.
January 26th, 2024 at 5:03 PM ^
No way Klopp would take the Bayern job. He's a Dortmund legend as a manager. I think Tuchel is kind of a crap manager who just can't adapt/isn't very innovative or entertaining to watch anymore. Idk what went wrong with him but his Dortmund team was fun and exciting. His teams since have been overly defensive, slow, and pretty boring to watch.
January 26th, 2024 at 5:08 PM ^
While I agree with you that he won't take the Bayern job, I find your reasoning hilarious. Apparently you've never heard of Lewandowski, Hummels, Goetze, etc.
January 26th, 2024 at 3:09 PM ^
Klopp taking a break, Harbaugh going on to the higher league...
Not quite seeing the parallel myself.
January 26th, 2024 at 4:02 PM ^
Thanks for posting. When EPL was broadcast regularly here in US I decided to root for the team most like U-M. A team in the north whose area's best manufacturing days were in the past, with a powerhouse team with many championships, and a multiple championship rival, who had fallen on tougher times.
So yes I see the parallels here too. Especially as Klopp went up against some oil funded high money teams in his tenure and brought Liverpool back to the Championships they had previously known.
January 26th, 2024 at 5:09 PM ^
EPL is still broadcast regularly here in the US...
January 26th, 2024 at 5:49 PM ^
I had a similar experience in becoming a Liverpool fan, seeing in them a lot of what I see in Michigan football: former powerhouses, historic champions, with great team songs, great historic stadiums, from regions with great music (Motown and the Beatles). I have loved the Klopp years, obviously. Wish him well and hope we can get a great replacement.
January 26th, 2024 at 5:03 PM ^
He has not "left Liverpool"...He's leaving at the end of the season.
January 27th, 2024 at 9:10 AM ^
USMNT???
I know. Not happening.
January 27th, 2024 at 10:27 AM ^
He hasn't been quite himself in a while. Being a long-time manager of a top Premiership team is exhausting and also turns you into a major global celebrity. It's life-altering and not just in a good way. It felt to me like he increasingly lost the ability to make light of it all. Probably a good time to take a step back from it.
I would like to think his next job is manager of the German national team in a year or two. A job with a ton of public pressure, but much less global attention and much lower day-to-day stress levels.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:12 AM ^
As a Liverpool supporter (I've seen Liverpool play in person 9 times in all competitions this season despite living in the US) I'm absolutely gutted by this news.
Going to Lions game today and flying to England tomorrow to see them host Chelsea and I've also got a ticket for Burnley. Hopefully win the draw for a Carabao Cup ticket at Wembley as I attended all 3 home ties.
It's funny, I'm a bigger Michigan fan than Liverpool fan. I've been a Michigan fan for much, much longer. But this news hurts a lot more than Harbaugh. Harbaugh you saw coming and prepared for for years. This is an absolute shock.