Jurgen Klopp's final dance stole the limelight from Manchester City's fourth consecutive title, and at the farewell ceremony, he called on fans to support his successor, Slot

Chengdu Business Daily Red Star News

2024-05-20 13:46Posted on the official account of Red Star News of Chengdu Business Daily, Sichuan

In the early morning of May 20, Beijing time, the Premier League ushered in the finale of the season, and finally Manchester City defeated West Ham United 3-1 at home, beating Arsenal by 2 points to defend the Premier League title. In the past seven seasons, Manchester City has won six seasons of the Premier League title, creating a blue moon dynasty in the English arena.

Manchester City won the cup, according to Visual China

However, Manchester City's record four consecutive titles have also been stolen from the limelight, and in the last seven seasons, Manchester City has only lost the Premier League title in one season, and the feat of not completing the seven consecutive titles is given by the Liverpool led by Jurgen Klopp.

Last night, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp ushered in his final game in charge of Liverpool, and it was under him that Liverpool moved towards a revival. In this farewell game, Liverpool defeated Wolves 2-0 at home to finish third in the Premier League this season, and the team also saw off Klopp with a victory, and after the game, Liverpool held a grand farewell ceremony for Klopp......

Liverpool make special gifts for Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp led the fans in singing for new manager Slot

In a pre-match interview, Jurgen Klopp said, "Everybody says it's the last dance, so let's dance. "To commemorate Jurgen Klopp's farewell match, Anfield fans played a huge TIFO before the game.

Fans chanted Jurgen Klopp's name on the spot 

After the game, the Liverpool team song "You will never walk alone" also sounded again at Anfield Stadium, this time, the song was accompanied by applause to the head coach Klopp, who will leave after the final round of the Premier League, his more than 8 years in Liverpool also came to an end, and many fans at the scene also shed tears.

Mrs. Klopp wept in the stands

After Thiago and Matip came out, Klopp's assistant coaches appeared one by one, receiving applause and special medals from fans and players. Amid the applause of the fans and players, Klopp walked into the pitch alone, and after hugging Van Dijk, Klopp also mischievously walked into the passage again and accepted the applause again.

Liverpool made special gifts for Jurgen Klopp, a miniature trophy and a commemorative plaque with pictures of the seven triumph moments.

Klopp said, "I was very surprised, I thought I had a breakdown, but I'm happy. I can't believe it, about all of you, about the atmosphere, about the game, about being part of the family, about us. How we celebrated this day, it's incredible, thank you so much. ”

Klopp also joked with the fans, "Thank you, but you didn't even pay attention to my request." I told you not to sing my name, but you didn't listen. Afterwards, the fans sang his name again.

"It would be fun if you sang my name next year. It doesn't feel like the end, it's more like the beginning! I see a team full of desire, that's part of the development, that's what you need. ”

Afterwards, Klopp said, "I've gotten so much attention over the last few weeks and I've been very touched. However, such attention was uncomfortable, and I realized something. People tell me that I changed them from skeptics to believers, but that's not the case. We've got this stadium, this training center, and you. I always believe in you, I trust you 100%. ”

Jurgen Klopp once again made his trademark celebration at Anfield – the 'Farmer's Three Punches'

At the end, Klopp called on the fans to sing along with the song, and he chanted: "Slote (Liverpool's new manager), slack, sloh." Klopp then said: "When you start next season, you have to be fully committed, you have to support the next manager as you support me. I am one of you, and I love each and every one of you dearly. You are the best people in the world, I have love in my chest, I will never walk alone, thank you! ”

Players lined up to welcome Jurgen Klopp to the site Photo according to Visual China

In addition, Klopp also made his final speech to the players in the dressing room after the game, "I love you. I can't wait to see you progress and take the next step...... We finished third and I don't know who won it (staff: Manchester City) yet...... Well, the only thing that has stopped them is us, and you can do it again. Some people may say that third is not enough, and I tell you, these people don't understand football. Can we achieve better? Yes, of course, it's always possible. But are we doing better than people normally expect? Yes, because it takes longer to be the top team again...... I love you and thank you for your company. I'm so proud of you, I'm proud to be a part of it all, thank you so much, the sky is the limit for you. Thank you (applause). ”

Klopp finished his final speech in the dressing room

In his post-match press conference, Jurgen Klopp spoke about his future: "I was a Liverpool fan after the game and I have to start resting now and see how it goes. Now I've sensed that maybe there's the next coaching opportunity, you look at the open positions at the clubs out there, there's going to be a chance, but I'm not going to sit here and think, maybe a year from now I'll accept it. ”

More than three hours after the game, there were still fans who stayed at Anfield, and Klopp took a photo with them to thank them

Eight trophies for Liverpool in more than eight years

Jurgen Klopp has the highest winning percentage in the Reds' history

From his appointment on 9 October 2015 to his departure on 20 May 2024, Jurgen Klopp led the Reds to eight heavy trophies, winning the first Premier League title in Liverpool's history and breaking a series of no-title curses.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds career titles at a glance >>>

18-19 Champions League winners

19-20 season UEFA Super Cup winners, Club World Cup winners, Premier League champions

21-22 League Cup Winners FA Cup

Season 22-23 Community Shield Champion

23-24 League Cup winner

According to the data, "Uncle Scum" coached Liverpool in a total of 491 games, achieved 299 wins, 109 draws and 83 losses, with an average of 2.07 points per game, creating a new high in his coaching career, and a winning rate of 60.9%, which is the highest among the previous managers of the Red Army (at least 50 games). In addition, he led the team to the highest league points in team history (99 points in 2019-20), the longest league winning streak in team history (18 consecutive wins), and the team record for wins and goals in all competitions in a single season (46 wins and 146 goals scored in 2021-22), among others.

For Klopp, his old rival, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, also gave high praise: "I would miss him very much. Jurgen Klopp has been an important part of my life and at a coaching level he has taken me to new heights and we have a lot of respect for each other. He left his mark on Liverpool and made Liverpool fans immensely proud. It's not just about the title, some personalities will stay forever, and Klopp will be on the same level as the incredible legends like Shankly and Paisley. ”

Pep Guardiola spoke about Jurgen Klopp after the game

Liverpool spent €11 million to poach Klopp's successor

The Premier League will stage a "bald war" next season

Although Liverpool FC has not officially announced a new manager, Liverpool's new manager has already been confirmed, and Romano has revealed that Liverpool has finalized the 45-year-old Feyenoord coach Slot to become Klopp's successor. Slote was not a favourite in the shortlist for a new manager, but eventually became the new manager of the Reds. He led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title last season and a runners-up finish in the Eredivisie this season. It is reported that Liverpool will pay 11 million euros in compensation to Feyenoord, of which 9 million euros will be fixed costs and 2 million euros will be floating costs.

Slote at the press conference Photo by IC photo

Slot was an old rival of current United boss Ten Hag when he was in the Eredivisie, when he was still the manager of Ajax. Interestingly, the Liverpool vs Manchester United double red meeting and Liverpool vs Manchester City are the highlights of the Premier League, and after Slot becomes Liverpool's new manager, next season's double red meeting and Liverpool and Manchester City games, the managers of both teams on the sidelines will be all bald (Ten Hag, Pep Guardiola and Slot are all bald).

In fact, before Klopp's farewell game, Feyenoord coach Slott announced at a press conference that he had officially signed with Liverpool and that he would be Klopp's successor at Anfield next season.

Feyenoord also posted a poster of Slote on social media with the caption: "It's time to say goodbye......"

Edited by Cheng Li

View original image 368K

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•