02 February 2024 , 22:36
421
0
Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique is sticking to his theory about Jurgen Klopp’s departure, despite the manager publicly calling him out.
Enrique has been outspoken in his opinions on his old club, saying that owners Fenway Sports Group have forced Klopp out through their actions. Klopp made a point of rubbishing the claim during the press conference, which followed his shock decision to call time on his stint as Liverpool boss at the end of the season.
Klopp said bluntly: "I can tell you, Jose, it's not. Nothing to do with it. It would be so easy in this job to just blame the owners and say 'Yeah, we would have won more trophies if FSG would have spent more'.”
Enrique remains a fervent fan of the Reds after playing for them between 2011 and 2016 and has stuck with his take. He thinks that Klopp has grown tired of not being sufficiently backed by FSG in the transfer market and has therefore made the decision to step down as boss.
“I think there are many reasons why he’s leaving, but they are reasons that we will probably never find out,” Enrique told Grosvenor Sport. “Even if he doesn’t agree with me, I still think and believe the owners have a lot to do with it – you can’t renew your contract and suddenly leave the club, it doesn’t make any sense. There has to be more to it.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
“It has to be something with the owners, he must be tired of having to pull off miracles all the time. He always has to do so much more than Manchester City and even Arsenal now to get what he wants in the transfer window. I don’t think he’s just tired generally, why would you renew your contract a few months ago if you’re tired? It doesn’t make sense.”
Klopp had been thinking about his future for some time but announced it to the world on January 26, towards the end of the mid-season transfer window. Liverpool are top of the Premier League, in the Carabao Cup final and still in the Europa League and FA Cup, and, like many Premier League sides, decided not to make any signings.
Jose Enrique has blamed FSG for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool exit (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Does Jose Enrique have a point? Comment below.
Enrique has read into that decision, believing it backs up his theory. He added: “The fact that this has happened in the middle of the transfer window too is worth discussing. Klopp had probably had another window of talking about players that he needs to compete, because at the moment they’re fighting in every competition, and once again the club haven’t brought anyone in. They lost Joel Matip to injury, but instead of signing another defender, they’ve had to play Jarell Quansah.
“I think there’s more to it and that’s just my opinion – obviously he says something different and he knows his own reasons, but for him to leave now is strange. I think he’ll end up managing the German national team in the future.”