Thanks Jurgen, it’s been a wild ride

Don’t cry it’s over, smile because it happened. AFP Photo

Paul Kennedy

Jurgen Klopp last week made me look like a massive idiot. A tool of the highest proportion.

Now I’m well aware it’s not that difficult for me to look like a buffoon, but this was supersized, with bows, bells and whistles on it.

In last Friday’s edition of Việt Nam News, regular readers of my column will have seen me harp on about how Jurgen’s gotten his mojo back and is clearly enjoying life as Liverpool manager.

Then, low and behold, around 12 hours after our newspaper hits the stands what does he do? Quit.

In my defence, NOBODY saw this coming. It was the shock of all shocks in the world of football.

Liverpool fans, myself included, are crying a river right about now. It’s not sunk in with me, and the rest of us, that the German has decided to call it a day.

But let’s be honest here for a minute. Nothing lasts forever, right? All good things must come to an end.

Klopp has been a revelation since he came to Liverpool. A powerhouse of a manager who gave supporters some of the best moments of their lives.

And he will leave at the end of the season with his head held high, and hopefully, with a few more trophies to boot.

Whoever gets the job next, I’m rooting for Spaniard Xabi Alonso for what it’s worth, will find themselves in a unique position at Anfield. And that’s taking charge of a really, really good team.

In the past when managers have left Liverpool, the rebuild job needed was so gargantuan that any new coach would need a team of architects and constructions workers at his side, never mind just a good number two.

This time round things are different, and maybe that’s the reason Jurgen has come to his decision. He said when he started that he would leave Liverpool in a better position than when he joined.

And that’s exactly what he’s doing.

What happens next nobody really knows. If they get a good, young coach, someone with experience taking on bigger and wealthier clubs, then hopefully the train will stay on track.

Liverpool needs someone who can tweak the system Jurgen has built, add some of their own ideas, and quickly create a special bond with the fans so that the German’s departure won’t feel so painful.

Again, I’m going back to Xabi. He is clearly one of the best young managers around and has a massive affinity with Liverpool FC.

But before the new manager comes in, there is still unfinished business as Jurgen ends the season, hopefully with a bang.

Danke Herr Klopp for everything you have done for my football team.

It’s been a wild ride.  VNS