- Jurgen Klopp has joined Instagram and posted an emotional farewell video
- He told fans that the last nine seasons have been a ‘love affair’ between them
- CHRIS SUTTON: Fans are sick and tired of VAR… but it’s here to stay – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Jurgen Klopp has joined Instagram in a move to stay connected with Liverpool fans after he leaves and has shared a tear-jerking farewell video.
He admits that he is not a ‘social media guy’ but after nine years at Anfield wants to stay in touch with people.
Klopp takes charge of his final Reds games against Wolves on Sunday and when he leaves he plans to take an extended period of rest with his wife, Ulla.
His Instagram account – conveniently called kloppo – amassed 376,000 followers within two hours of his debut post.
In his account description, he has a dig at Jose Mourinho by again calling himself the ‘normal one’ – the opposite of the ‘Special One’ moniker Mourinho gave himself when he arrived on English shores.
‘Dear Liverpudlians, we’re getting closer to the end,’ Klopp begins.
‘On the eighth of October 2015, we met the first time properly.
‘I would call it a love affair. From the first day, it was an absolutely incredible, incredible time.
‘I enjoyed it so much and want to thank you so much for all the support you gave us over the years, for all the power you gave us.
‘I’ve wondered always that it feels like we write a story together and that’s how it feels today. It’s a good book.
‘And if we read it in the future, we will have a smile on our face.
‘Leaving this incredible place is hard, but I want to stay in contact with you. And even when I’m not a social media guy, people told me social media helps with that.
‘So, here we go. See you!’
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The video is interspersed with clips from throughout his reign on Merseyside – his unveiling, fist pumps, trophy lifts, and iconic press conference moments.
Klopp will go down as at least one of the greatest managers in Liverpool’s history. For some, the greatest.
He has held aloft eight trophies during his tenure: the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, and one Charity Shield.
If four results out of 490 games had been different in his favour, he would have won two more Premier League and Champions League trophies each. In that regard, he has been unlucky to manage in the same era as relentless Manchester City and Real Madrid sides.
In his final interview at the AXA Training Centre, he admitted he could have won more but is satisfied.
‘I know we could have won more but I cannot change that. We could have won less, that’s possible as well,’ he said. ‘Nothing is perfect nowadays, but the majority of people in [Liverpool] are as close as possible.
‘I know for people it makes a massive difference if I won more. But I couldn’t care less, (there were) 364 really enjoyable days in these seasons when we had 90-odd points and were nearly there.
‘Minutes, millimetres, inches decided things for us,’ he said.
‘We did everything. I am self-critical but I do not reflect on this in a critical way. I am super happy with my time here. If you do not like it… who cares? I look back with a smile.’