Jurgen Klopp has admitted he ‘burst into tears’ when reading letters of tribute from Liverpool fans as he prepares to leave the club this summer.
Klopp will take charge of Liverpool for the final time when the Reds host Wolves in their final fixture of the Premier League campaign on Sunday.
The 56-year-old has decided to step down from his role after eight-and-a-half decorated years in charge of the club, in which Klopp has led Liverpool to eight trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League title.
He will wave goodbye to Liverpool at Anfield this weekend, having taken to the empty stadium this week to soak it in before Sunday’s game.
“I love Anfield to bits, but I love when it is full. I hope that is not a picture of my time at Liverpool, alone in an empty stadium!
“I will never do this again, when will you ever be alone at Anfield? Anfield is a super special place, because of the people. The people make it,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference.
Klopp spoke further on his connection with Liverpool as both a club and city and said he was emotional when reading letters from fans paying tribute to his time on Merseyside.
“I try to explain, I do not understand it properly. People like you until you disappoint them, and I don’t think we ever disappointed. The club means the world to so many people, and over the last few months it was really extreme.
“I have had so many emails and letters over the the last few months. If I answer all of them I am here to 2028, so I apologise for not answering all of them. There were a lot of request for tickets as well…
“Some of those letters, I burst into tears reading about what the club has meant to some people. The way we bought into it led to how happy we were. We have very special supporters, and the last nine years meant the world to them, I am very happy about that.
“The older you get, time slips through your fingers, and you look back and think, that was great. We used absolutely everything, tried to make the best out of everything, enjoy things as much as possible. A decade of your life is massive, and I will not forget a day. I was at the best club I could have imagined, in a very special city.
“Nothing is perfect nowadays, but the way the people meet you, the way they treat you – it’s wonderful to know I spent a big time of my life here. I got the key of the city, I’m sure for some people that is rather funny, but if the city needs me I am there. I want to be helpful in whatever way.”
