Arsene Wenger reacts to Jurgen Klopp's decision to stand down as Liverpool boss

22 February 2024 , 00:00

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Arsene Wenger has responded to Jurgen Klopp's abrupt Liverpool decision. (Image: BIANCA DE MARCHI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Arsene Wenger has said he respects Jurgen Klopp's decision to step down at the end of the season but admitted he has never felt the fatigue that the Liverpool boss is experiencing.

Klopp announced his decision to depart Anfield in January, a move that shocked much of the football world. The 56-year-old has spent nine years on Merseyside and won Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Champions League and Europa League honours with the club.

The German coach revealed he was 'running out of energy' and 'cannot do the job again and again and again and again'. Liverpool remain in contention for a possible treble this term with Premier League and Europa League and Carabao Cup wins possible.

Few have experienced the rigours of the Premier League as fiercely as Wenger. The former Gunners boss spent 22 years in north London before standing down from his position, like Klopp, with a year remaining on his contract.

However, despite a difficult ending to his Arsenal tenure, Wenger never felt they way in which Klopp currently does. "I never felt like that," said the Frenchman, "I respect what he did. I thought he was very good in the press conference."

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Speaking to beIN Sport, Wenger was asked whether managing at the highest level is more stressful now. FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development disregarded the notion but said it was better to look at the individual.

"It is not more stressful," he said, "First of all, you need to know the situation of a human being. 'Does that person miss having a normal life?'

Arsene Wenger discussed Jurgen Klopp standing down from Liverpool (beIN SPORT)

"I dedicated my life just to football. I didn't miss the normal life and only discovered there was a normal life when I stopped."

Wenger admitted there was an opportunity that Klopp could regret his decision. He added: "There's a chance he will miss it. And regret it. When you miss it, it starts with regret."

The Arsenal legend certainly does not wish that he departed day-to-day coaching sooner.

"No. I would say I miss the intensity of this life," he said. "I was made to experience that because football was, and still is, so important to me. It looked normal to me. I could live with the pressure. The cardiologist would maybe say no to that!"

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Scott Trotter