Owen Sanders
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has broken his silence on Jurgen Klopp’s surprise decision to step down as manager at the end of the season, describing it as a “tough one to take” but vowing to send the German boss out in a blaze of glory.
Klopp’s announcement on Friday sent shockwaves through the football world, bringing an end to a hugely successful nine-year reign at Anfield that saw him transform the Reds from also-rans into Premier League and Champions League champions.
Van Dijk, one of Klopp’s key players over the years, admitted the news was a blow but insisted the squad was laser-focused on their remaining objectives.
“It’s a hard one to take, because the manager means so much for us, to me, to the club, to the whole Premier League I think,” Van Dijk said. “But he made the decision for him and his family. It was always going to be a tough one and it was definitely the case.”
He revealed that Klopp had informed the players of his decision in private before the public announcement, but emphasized the team’s determination to finish the season on a high.
“I think how we always try to manage noise from the outside,” Van Dijk said. “Of course this is massive, it’s massive news in football. For us, it was also a very big day. But we have big targets this year and that’s definitely stressed by the manager as well.
“For us and for me personally as well, I want to make sure the rest of the boys think like that too. I think that’s the case as well. We all want to achieve so much and that mindset was already there since pre-season and that doesn’t change.
“It will maybe even give you an extra boost to do that extra or maybe enjoy it a little bit even more together and make the last part of the season, the last bit of the manager’s time at the club, the best time he’s ever had.”
Klopp, who is still in contention for a historic quadruple of trophies this season, has ruled out taking up another coaching position in England and hinted that he may even retire from management altogether.
“I will leave the club at the end of the season,” he said. “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.
“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.”
Van Dijk’s comments suggest that while Klopp’s departure is a significant blow, the Liverpool squad is determined to honor his legacy by finishing the season with silverware. The Reds face a daunting challenge in their quest for the quadruple, but with Van Dijk at the helm, they will go down fighting for their departing manager.
This article can be further expanded by including quotes from other players and coaches, as well as analyzing the potential impact of Klopp’s exit on Liverpool’s future. You can also delve deeper into Van Dijk’s relationship with Klopp and how the Dutchman plans to motivate the team in the coming months.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings