Ancelotti on Klopp’s Departure: “Excessive Burdens” of Elite Management
Carlo Ancelotti believes the “excessive burdens” of being elite manager were behind Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool. The German confirmed his exit at the start of the year. He enjoyed an emotional farewell after he saw his side win for the last time on the final day of the season. This marked the end of almost nine years at Anfield. During this period, Klopp delivered the Premier League and the Champions League.
Ancelotti compared Klopp’s departure to that of Arrigo Sacchi. Sacchi left the immensely successful AC Milan side in the 1990s due to the demands of job. He told il Giornale: “I don’t see any particular news. This has always been our job but the Klopp case is significant. The continuous pressure and the load of responsibilities become excessive burdens. The obsession takes over. It also happened to Arrigo Sacchi.”
Klopp’s Confession: “Running Out of Energy”
This perspective is backed up by Klopp’s own confession when his exit was made public. He stated that he simply didn’t have energy to continue on Merseyside given what it takes to remain competitive at elite level. He said: “It is that I am how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now obviously, I knew it already for longer. That I will have to announce it at one point. But I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do job again and again and again.”
Klopp added “After years we had together and after all time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you the love grew for you and the least I owe you is truth – and that is truth.”
Ancelotti also suggested that relationships can come to a natural end. At such times, an exit is best to avoid a controversial departure. Klopp in his final weeks, clashed publicly with Mohamed Salah during a draw with West Ham. Ancelotti commented “When relationships break down, not human ones but professional ones it is better to leave without controversies and arguments.”