Klopp to Liverpool Supporters: 'Nobody Has to Say Thank You to Me'

"Nobody has to say thank you to me" — those were the words from Jürgen Klopp during his recent appearance on Peter Crouch's podcast, a statement that carries significant weight coming from the manager who delivered Liverpool their first league championship in three decades.

Klopp departed Anfield in May 2024 following nine remarkable years that included a Champions League trophy, a Premier League title, and a connection with supporters that remains as strong as ever. He recently returned to the ground for a Liverpool Legends versus Borussia Dortmund charity match, receiving a standing ovation from the faithful. Now serving as an honorary ambassador for the LFC Foundation, the German tactician's presence continues to loom large over the club.

Nine years that transformed a football club

The podcast conversation allowed Klopp to properly reflect on his time at Liverpool, and he was typically candid about the journey. "Nobody can think back to these nine years without a smile on their face," he remarked. He's absolutely correct — but the specifics matter.

When he arrived in October 2015, Klopp inherited a struggling mid-table squad from Brendan Rodgers, drew his opening home fixture against West Brom, and celebrated the result as if it were silverware. From those humble beginnings, he constructed a team capable of claiming every major trophy on offer. The 2019 Champions League triumph. The 2020 league title that ended a 30-year drought. A domestic cup treble in 2022.

He also addressed the Philippe Coutinho transfer — one of the pivotal sliding-doors moments of his reign. "I would have loved to have played a full season with Philippe Coutinho, Bobby Firmino, Sadio and Mo. Wow." It never happened. Coutinho departed for Barcelona in January 2018, right as Mohamed Salah was reaching peak form. The transfer fee bankrolled the restructuring that ultimately delivered Champions League glory. Sometimes the transaction that stings is the one that brings ultimate success.

A generation who never knew Liverpool before Klopp

One particular exchange from his recent Anfield appearance resonated deeply with him. A ten-year-old at the community centre declared: "I love you more than my dad." Klopp pointed out the youngster hadn't even been born when he accepted the Liverpool position.

That encapsulates his legacy — not simply the hardware in the trophy cabinet, but establishing a version of Liverpool that an entire generation considers the standard. Arne Slot is doing excellent work establishing his own identity, but the influence of the Klopp years remains powerful, and the supporters continue to feel that connection.

Klopp currently serves as head of global soccer at Red Bull, a position that keeps him involved in the sport without the relentless weekly demands. Whether this role eventually leads him back to the touchline somewhere remains the biggest unanswered question. For the moment, he's content reflecting with fondness. Liverpool supporters feel exactly the same way.