Liverpool assistant manager, Pep Lijnders, has expressed the belief that replacing Jurgen Klopp is an impossible task. Lijnders emphasized the importance of finding a candidate who can establish their own legacy at the club.
Klopp’s unexpected decision to step down at the end of the current season has left Fenway Sports Group, the club’s owners, in search of a worthy successor. Klopp, during his tenure, has achieved virtually every major club honor, with the exception of the Europa League, at Anfield.
As Liverpool prepares for the League Cup final against Chelsea this Sunday, where they have the opportunity to add another trophy to their collection, Lijnders, along with the rest of Klopp’s coaching staff, will also depart. Lijnders asserted that attempting to find a replica of the 56-year-old manager would be futile, with Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen boss, emerging as a leading candidate for the position.
“No one can replace Jurgen Klopp. But I think the past showed already a few difficult transitions,” the Dutchman said on Friday at the club’s pre-match press conference.
“What was the most difficult transition inside this club was (Bill) Shankly saying ‘That’s me’. (Bob) Paisley stepped up (in 1974) and was completely different from Shanks.
“It shows, as a club, we have to search for someone who wants to grow, who has the mindset to develop.”
Despite initial concerns that Jurgen Klopp’s announcement in January could disrupt the team’s performance, Liverpool has managed to maintain their momentum. The team currently leads the Premier League, is preparing to face Southampton in the FA Cup next week, and is considered a favorite in the Europa League after being drawn against Sparta Prague in the last 16.
Surprisingly, Liverpool has achieved five victories in their last six games since Klopp’s announcement, and according to Pep Lijnders, this success can be attributed to the strong mentality within the dressing room. The players have evidently rallied together, displaying resilience and determination to overcome any potential distractions.
“We are stable enough to deal with it. That’s what I thought before — but you never know. It is in the back of your mind but I, we, trust the squad enough that they can deal with that.
“We never make it more complicated than it is and I like that. It is the next game, that’s our final — and it is a final so let’s give everything on this planet to win this one and give joy and emotion to the fans.”