“I know that there are kids out there – the ones who run for my car, after games, for pictures and autographs – they’ve never experienced a different manager here.”
After nine years on Merseyside, Jurgen Klopp will leave his role as manager of Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season. He marked his announcement with a special mention of an Irish superfan.
The 56-year-old made his mind up that this would be his final season as Reds boss, back in November, and has announced the news now, in anticipation of a 100% final surge for more trophy success.
Klopp explained, during a wide-ranging interview with LFC TV, that this is a good time to move on, and hand the baton, and squad, on to a new face. He also made reference (around 21 minutes in) to young, Irish Liverpool fan Dáire Gorman.
Jurgen Klopp on Dáire Gorman
Liverpool are still fighting for trophies, this season, on four fronts. Earlier this week, their draw with Fulham, at Craven Cottage, secured them a place in the League Cup final, where they will face Chelsea.
Liverpool are currently leading the Premier League, too, in the fourth round of the FA Cup and Last 16 of the Europa League. Jurgen Klopp insisted he was 100% focused on ending the season on the highest of highs and bringing more silverware to the club. Reflecting on the fans that have taken to him so much over the past nine years, the German commented:
“I know that there are kids out there – the ones who run for my car, after games, for pictures and autographs – they’ve never experienced a different manager here.
“Only recently we met Dáire, our friend. I probably have to explain it to him, as well, and I will. It’s no problem. I really will try to do all those things but, in this moment, that’s it. From here, we go.”
Back in December, Dáire Gorman visited Anfield for the first time. The 12-year-old has the rare condition, known as Crommelin Syndrome, and is a full-time wheelchair user. The Irish lad’s lovely reaction to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, from his place in the ground’s disabled section, touch many hearts, including Klopp’s.
In December, the Monaghan native was invited over to Liverpool’s training facilities by Klopp and got to meet some of his other Liverpool heroes, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez. “Liverpool is like his best friend,” Dáire’s mother explained. At the time of his December 2023 visit, Klopp said, “He’s the biggest LFC supporter, and I’ve seen a few.”
By mentioning the Irish youngster in what was an interview focused on his impending goodbye from the club, it shows the sort of character Klopp is. It shows what Liverpool’s fans, and their devotion, mean to him.
As Klopp said to the young lad, at the time, “I’m often close to crying myself. But a life without emotions? How boring would that be.”
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