Jurgen Klopp has expressed his gratitude to Liverpool fans for their support during his nine-year tenure at Anfield, insisting that 'nobody has to say thank you' to him. The former Reds boss, who left the club in May 2024, made the comments in a podcast with ex-striker Peter Crouch released on Wednesday.
Klopp, now head of global soccer at Red Bull, recently returned to a hero's ovation when Liverpool Legends drew 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund Legends in a charity match for the LFC Foundation. Reflecting on his decorated spell, which included the 2019 Champions League and the 2020 Premier League title, Klopp said: 'I mean we had a good time and nobody, I mean it, nobody has to say thank you to me... because I have to say thank you for the exact same reasons.'
The German manager emphasised the mutual appreciation between himself and supporters, stating: 'I understand 100% why people are happy when they see me because I stand for this period. And I am as happy as they are when I see them because they stand for this period.' He recalled meeting young fans at the Anfield Community Centre who were not even born when he arrived in October 2015.
Klopp also credited the club's patience in allowing him time to build a title-winning squad. 'Everything needs time. Life and in football, it's just that nobody gives you time,' he said. 'We were lucky enough to make immediate steps... but to win the Premier League, you need special players and we brought them in step by step.'
