Farewell to England: Klopp with sadness and professionalism: “Let’s dance”

When the anthem “You’ll never walk alone” was played at Anfield Road, Jürgen Klopp’s eyes moistened. He was visibly struggling against letting his big emotions run wild before his very last competitive game as football coach of Liverpool FC this Sunday against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“I’m in game mode,” Klopp said on Sky immediately before kick-off: “People called it ‘The last dance’ – so let’s dance.”

But the people around him didn’t necessarily make it easy for Klopp to maintain professionalism on the final day of the Premier League. On one side of the stands his first name was presented with banners in large letters, on the other a huge heart in the colors black, red and gold could be seen. Chants like “I’m so glad that Jürgen is a Red” echoed through the arena. The club icon is also honored in the official stadium brochure – and even in German on the front page: “Thank you Jürgen.”

“Love affair” with the fans

Family, friends, companions – they also came and all wanted a hug with Klopp. He wasn’t happy with all the attention. “I don’t think I would wish this situation on anyone. It’s very difficult to process it as a human being. Everyone sings my name – I’m not sure we’re made for that,” said the 56-year-old: “I’m trying to to put as much distance as I can.” But that was difficult for him. When there were no spectators in the stadium, Klopp stood alone at the center of the pitch in an almost spiritual moment.

One day before his farewell game, Klopp had already addressed the fans with emotional words on social media. “On October 8, 2015, we met properly for the first time. I would call it a love affair,” said the coach in a two-minute video on his new Instagram account called “Kloppo” – Jürgen Klopp, The Normal One. “From day one, it was an absolutely incredible time. I enjoyed it so much and I want to thank you so much for all the support and strength you have given us over the years.”

Salah became a key figure

In the video, which also shows the most emotional moments of his eight and a half years as coach at the Reds, Klopp sits in his office. One last time. He said it was very difficult for him to leave this “incredible place.” That’s also why he wants to “stay in touch with the fans. And even though I’m not a social media person, people have told me that social media helps with that. So, let’s go. See you around.” A day later, the video already had more than 26 million likes and 1.6 million people had already followed Klopp’s account.

But it’s not just the fans who don’t want to forget Klopp so quickly. “We will stay in touch forever, for life. It’s not just a working relationship,” said Liverpool offensive star Mohamed Salah on Sky. The Egyptian was one of the influential players in the Klopp era, but three weeks ago the two had a war of words on the sidelines. The dispute has long since been resolved. “We helped each other a lot and we gave everything for the club to win trophies, everyone can see that.”

Klopp’s future: “Then we’ll see what happens”

The former Mainz and Dortmund Bundesliga coach led Liverpool to, among other things, the championship in England and triumph in the Champions League. But his work at Anfield also included dramatic defeats. “I know we could have won more,” admitted Klopp, “but that’s okay with me.” He spent his “best time” at “the best club I could have imagined”.

His successor in Liverpool, the Dutchman Arne Slot, is following in huge footsteps. It is not clear whether Klopp will return to the coaching bench. “I can give other people energy, but I have to have it myself, and that is not quite the same as it used to be,” he said. “Perhaps that will be different in one, two or three years, I don’t know, and then we will see what happens.”