Jurgen Klopp’s nine years in charge of Liverpool comes to an end tomorrow when he steps out at Anfield for the final time.The German has brought the glory days back to Anfield with eight major trophies lifted and countless brilliant performances from his Liverpool side.
But his impact has gone beyond football, with Klopp embracing life on Merseyside since arriving in 2015. And in an exclusive open letter written to the ECHO’s readers, Klopp explains his love and expresses his gratitude to the city he has called home for nine years.
Dear Echo reader,Before I came to Liverpool I had never written a letter to a newspaper in my life. Now I am writing my second letter to the Liverpool Echo which probably tells you a few things.
The first is I am probably now at ‘that age’. The second is that this is a newspaper that plays a big role in this city. The third is that it is a great way for me to speak to as many people who live here as possible.The most important reason, though, is that it is time for me to say Goodbye. I know that this is no longer news but it is important that I say it to you.
For me, Liverpool is the city of open arms. A place that welcomes you like a son and does not care where you come from. It just wants you to be part of it and I could not be prouder that you allowed me to have that incredible privilege.A city that gives this kind of welcome deserves at the very least a proper farewell.
There is so much I could say right now and there are so many special moments I could talk about.
On and off the pitch we have created memories between us that will live with me for ever.But when I think of this city and its wonderful people, the biggest lesson I will take with me is that giving up is definitely not in the Scouse dictionary.
