Jurgen Klopp shocked the world of football when he announced that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after almost a decade in charge at Anfield. The German has done it all on Merseyside and leaves as the Reds' most successful manager in their Premier League history.
But who is Jurgen Klopp? How many trophies has he won? And could he return to management next season? We at Football FanCast have gathered everything you need to know about the Reds boss is right here.
Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool
With Liverpool top of the Premier League and still in all three cup competitions, you'd be forgiven for thinking that when Klopp revealed that he had an announcement, it would be centred around a possible contract extension. That proved anything but the case, however, as he instead revealed his forthcoming exit.
Speaking to Liverpool's official media channels, Klopp detailed the reason behind his decision: "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."
Jurgen Klopp news & rumours
Whilst Klopp was quick to rule out a return to management, saying "if you ask me, ‘Will you ever work as a manager again?’ I would say now no," the rumours have still arrived.
Julian Nagelsmann's contract with the German national team is up after this summer's Euros, creating the need for another candidate to step into the hot seat. And given that Klopp has been linked with the Germany position before, only to turn it down due to his Liverpool commitments, they could return with another attempt – this time without the obstacle of his Anfield role.
Nagelsmann, of course, has been a name mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Klopp at Liverpool in what would be a convenient swap for all parties. That said, as of right now, it is Reds legend and Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso who reportedly tops FSG's shortlist, having already made contact.
Jurgen Klopp's salary and net worth
FSG got a return on their investment throughout Klopp's time at the club, winning every major honour available. Klopp's wages reportedly sit at a whopping £15m a year, which is ironically only second to Manchester City's Pep Guardiola in what will feel all too frustratingly familiar for the 56-year-old.
Klopp's net worth, meanwhile, has unsurprisingly gone up and up since arriving at Anfield – and reportedly now stands at around £39m, according to Essentially Sports.
Jurgen Klopp's net spend
The fact that Liverpool have kept up with Manchester City throughout Klopp's tenure speaks volumes about the impact that the Anfield legend has had on the club. That is then made even more impressive by Liverpool's net spend compared to the rest of the Premier League's 'big six' since Klopp's arrival in 2015.
Manchester United
£888m
Chelsea
£835m
Arsenal
£696m
Manchester City
£692m
Tottenham Hotspur
£484m
Liverpool
£254m
Astonishingly, it is Manchester United who top the list, with a net spend of over double Liverpool's in the last nine years. Compare silverware during that time, and it says a lot about just how poorly the Red Devils have spent their money compared to Klopp at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp's age and height
Now 56 years old, it's no surprise that Klopp doesn't have the energy that he once did to coach his 'heavy metal' football. Although it seems unlikely that we'll see the German in a dugout anytime soon, he could yet make his return to management and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Arsene Wenger, who left Arsenal at 68 years old.
Standing at 6 foot 3, the former Dortmund man could have perhaps made for an emergency centre-back option amid Liverpool's infamous shortage in the 2020/21 campaign, which saw the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho form makeshift partnerships at times.
Jurgen Klopp's wife
An underrated member of Klopp's backroom team is, of course, his wife – Ulla Sandrock. Liverpool fans reportedly have her to thank for keeping hold of their legendary boss for what could prove to be a historic season. According to Jonathan Northcroft of The Times, Klopp came close to quitting midway through last season, before being convinced by his wife to stay put.
Back at the summit, the Liverpool boss may well be glad to have listened ahead of what could be the perfect ending.
Jurgen Klopp's teeth
Everyone is used to seeing Jurgen Klopp's pearly whites by now, but that's not how it has always been.
The German did indeed have his teeth fixed and, reportedly, veneers implanted.
Interestingly, it was Roberto Firmino who inspired Klopp to get them done, as the Liverpool boss went to Dr Robbie Hughes of Dental Excellence, who also did the Brazilian's.
He stated: "Working with Jurgen Klopp came about because he saw Roberto's new teeth and decided he wanted to do something. When Jurgen came to see us, he basically just said he liked Roberto's teeth, that he wouldn't want to go quite as white, but he liked his teeth."
Although, Klopp came out and denied this claim and stated that he did not want to copy Firmino but was forced to have them fixed after an initial medical problem that required antibiotics.
Clubs Jurgen Klopp played for
Klopp the manager will go down in history, but Klopp the player will likely go down as something to forget. Not exactly famous for his technical ability on the pitch, the Liverpool legend played for Tus Ergenzingen, Eintracht Frankfurt II, Vik. Sindlingen, Rot-Weiss Frankfurt and most famously Mainz 05, who he would go on to manage. He does, at least, have one famous moment to look back on in his playing career:
Though, it must be said, Klopp will still be remembered for the heavy metal football that he orchestrated rather than the one that he played as a right-back.
Clubs managed by Jurgen Klopp
Those who will best remember both Klopp's managerial ability and his heartfelt connection with the people are the fans of Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool – the three clubs that he has taken charge of in his career. Starting at Mainz, the 56-year-old helped his former club to their first-ever Bundesliga promotion back in the 2004/05 campaign.
From there, Klopp took his success to Dortmund, where he cemented himself among some of the best managers in the world, beating Bayern Munich to the title not once but twice in the Bundesliga, before stepping into the Liverpool dugout with even greater success.
Honours won by Jurgen Klopp
It could be easy to say that Klopp should have won more, given his four Champions League finals and close title race. But the fact is, he has won every major honour that there is to win during his career.
World's Best Club Coach
18/19, 19/20
Champions League
18/19
FIFA Club World Cup
19/20
Bundesliga
10/11, 11/12
Premier League
19/20
UEFA Super Cup
19/20
DFB-Pokal
11/12
FA Cup
21/22
German Super Cup
13/14, 14/15
Carabao Cup
21/22
Community Shield
22/23
He could yet add to that collection with another four trophies this season as well, given Liverpool's place at the top of the Premier League, in the final of the Carabao Cup, and in the next rounds of the FA Cup and Europa League.