Jurgen Klopp fired back at Jose Enrique after the former Liverpool defender blamed the German boss’s shock departure on the club’s owners.
The Germany boss sensationally announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, ending a glittering nine-year spell on Merseyside.
Enrique, who played under Klopp when he joined from Dortmund during the 2015/2016 season, shared on social media after the announcement his belief that his former boss was simply ‘tired’ of the club’s American owners FSG.
He then doubled down on that assessment during an interview on Sky Sports. But during his press conference on Friday afternoon, the 56-year-old rejected those claims and reiterated his reasons for leaving.
“I saw Jose Enrique, who I like a lot, say it’s about FSG.” He said. “I can tell you absolutely that FSG has nothing to do with it.”
Jurgen Klopp dismissed former defender Jose Enrique’s claims that Liverpool’s owners were responsible for his shock decision to leave the club
Enrique played under Klopp in his first season in 2015/16 after joining from Dortmund
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Enrique, who spent a total of five seasons at Anfield, had previously said: ‘My first thoughts were actually that I was angry, but you can’t blame him.
‘(Klopp) is a legend, I believe Liverpool will build a statue. Thanks to him, Liverpool have achieved everything they have in recent years.
‘I think something happened. I have my own opinion about it. I think it has to do with the expenses and the owners. I think he’s tired of fighting every year to sign the players he deserves in the team.’
Fenway Sports Group was criticized by Liverpool fans during Klopp’s tenure, amid the huge sums spent by some of their Premier League rivals.
The hostility towards the owners probably reached its peak during the debacle that followed the failed creation of the European Super League in April 2021. It was revealed that FSG was not only a participant, but also a key player in the formation of the breakaway group.
Fenway Sports Group has owned the Premier League giants since 2010, taking over from Tom Hicks and George Gillet
However, the Reds’ owners have nevertheless presided over the club’s most successful period in a generation, appointing Klopp in 2015.
Former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso has quickly emerged as one of the frontrunners to take over from Klopp – with bookmakers making him the favourite.
The ex-midfielder is highly admired after his incredible work at Bayer Leverkusen, taking the team to the top of the Bundesliga.
There have already been reports that there is a release clause in his Leverkusen contract, which could see him join a big club if they come knocking.
But Klopp dismissed claims he would be involved in the selection process for the manager, who has the tricky task of following him into the Anfield hotseat.
Former Liverpool man Xabi Alonso has been installed as favorite to replace Klopp
‘Why would I?’ He added. ‘In this world you have some faces doing something incredible that you don’t see very often. It seems like I’m doing all the work, but I can’t.
‘What we have built behind the scenes is an incredibly strong structure. There are so many people working here with one idea: to find the best for Liverpool.
“The last thing they need is advice from the old man who’s leaving.”
Previously, Liverpool fans took to social media to express their sadness following the big news, as some called it ‘the worst day of their lives’.
One wrote: ‘Ngl klopp leaving @LFC is probably the worst day of my life.’
Another said: ‘Just heard the worst news of the day that Jurgen Klopp is leaving the club at the end of the season.
The best manager ever in football and one of the best Premier League managers. Klopp has literally won everything at Liverpool in the last nine years, except the Europa League!’
‘A third post read: ‘Wake up in a different time zone and the news of Klopp leaving hits like a hammer.
“We know he would leave one day, but at worst we hoped we would have two more years. Devastating news, but I am comforted by the new team he has put together. Impossible to follow, but we are Liverpool.’
Liverpool fans took to social media to call it ‘the worst day of my life’ after the shocking news
Others claimed they were ‘heartbroken’ and ‘devastated’ – while another said ‘just leave me alone today’.
Klopp’s assistants Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz are also set to leave in the summer, with the former looking for a move into management.
In his previous announcement, Klopp said he had informed the club of his decision to resign in November – and revealed this while discussing transfer targets for next summer.
Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers nine years ago and was tasked with reorganizing a struggling side that had come close to winning trophies but often fell short.
He had to be patient for his first success, which he achieved in 2019 when his side defeated Tottenham in the Champions League final.
A year later, he led his team to their first Premier League title win in 30 years as they romped to victory with 99 points to beat their bitter rivals Man City.