Jurgen Klopp reportedly came close to quitting Liverpool midway through last season before wife Ulla convinced him to stay.
On Friday, the German boss made public the news that he would be leaving the club at the end of the current season.
However, according to the Times, a ‘fatigues’ Klopp came close to quitting his role last season as Liverpool suffered on the pitch.
The Reds had won just nine of their 20 league matches at that point and were dumped out of the FA Cup in the fourth Round in what Klopp described as a ‘dog year’ on Friday.
The 56-year-old was fed up of the relentless schedule and knew he needed to rebuild the team if they were to return to their previous levels.
Jurgen Klopp reportedly came close to quitting his role as Liverpool manager last season
Klopp’s wife Ulla has been an influential voice during key moments in his career
The 56-year-old was fed up of the relentless schedule as the Reds suffered on the pitch
But Ulla, who has been an influential voice behind some of the German manager’s biggest decision, changed his mind and he went on to oversee a rebuild last summer.
After rebuilding his midfield with the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool have returned to the top table once again.
In his shock announcement this week, Klopp claimed he is ‘running out of energy’ after winning the Premier League, Champions League, the FA Cup and Carabao Cup across nine years at Anfield – and hinted he may never manage in football ever again.
Klopp took over Liverpool in 2015 from Brendan Rodgers, tasked with overhauling a struggling side that had often fallen short when it came to winning trophies.
His first piece of silverware came in 2019 as his side beat Tottenham in the Champions League final, and one year later, he led Liverpool to their first Premier League title win in 30 years.
Liverpool’s first game since Klopp’s departure was announced will come when Norwich City travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon for an FA Cup fourth round clash.
Earlier this week, the Reds confirmed their trip to Wembley for the League Cup final in February, where they will face Chelsea.
