Pep Lijnders explains decision to leave Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp and responds to Man Utd
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have been told "no-one can replace Jurgen Klopp" but are being backed to ensure a successful transition from their departing manager.
Klopp will leave Anfield at the end of the season - along with assistant managers Pep Lijnders and Peter Krawietz and elite development coach Vitor Matos - after almost nine years in charge.
Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has emerged as the front-runner to be next in the Anfield dugout with Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim also among the favourites.
Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai injury news as Liverpool make cup final decision
Liverpool find out next Europa League opponents ahead of Jurgen Klopp exit
The stability with which Liverpool have operated in recent times was this week praised as a benchmark by new Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
And while pointing to Klopp's unique Anfield contribution, Lijnders believes the Reds have shown in the past with the success of Bob Paisley following the departure of Bill Shankly 50 years ago that contrasting personalities are no obstacle to silverware.
“It that a compliment from United? That says everything if we get compliments from them," said Lijnders. "About the summer: no-one can replace Jurgen Klopp. But I think the past showed already a few difficult transitions. What was the most difficult transition inside this club was Shankly saying 'That's me'. Paisley stepped up and was completely different from Shanks.
"It shows we as a club have to search for someone who wants to grow, who has the mindset to develop. It's not for us, the owners can make good decisions about that, but I think we did the right thing by announcing early so
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk
