User:PL 'Shocking Transfer Rumors' Appear
Virgil van Dijk is connecting with Chelsea. Since Jurgen Klopp announced his intention to resign, Liverpool is experiencing a backlash.
Rumors have been raised that VanDijk will move to Chelsea. The U.K.'s Football London reported that some players' future became uncertain after Klopp said he would leave Liverpool at the end of this season, and that VanDijk could head to Chelsea.
This was also influenced by VanDijk's remarks. Earlier, VanDijk told Sky Sports in the U.K. "I don't know. It's not just the manager who is changing, but a lot of people are leaving the team. There are so many things that need to change. The club has big things ahead of it, and I wonder what direction it will take. I have to wait and see the situation, but I can't say for now."
The reason why van Dijk has been linked to Chelsea is clear. Chelsea are already considering splitting from veteran defender Thiago Silva. Silva is still playing as a key defender for Chelsea, but considering Silva's age, Chelsea and Silva's separation will inevitably take place soon. It is no surprise that Chelsea are looking for a center back to replace Silva in preparation for Silva's departure.
Above all, VanDijk is already a proven resource in the league. VanDijk has displayed consistent performance since moving to Liverpool, ranking second in the 2019 Ballon d'Or after Lionel Messi. Even after returning from a stint in the game due to a cruciate ligament injury, VanDijk still showed off his skills. VanDijk showed better performance than most defenders last season as well.
This is what happened after Klopp's resignation. It can be called a "post-storm."
Liverpool announced on its official website on the 26th, saying, "Coach Klopp will lead the team until the 2023-24 season and then organize his eight and a half years of life in Liverpool," adding, "Coach Klopp will leave the team at the end of this season."
Liverpool also announced that along with Klopp, his division, Pep Rangers, Peter Kravitz, and Vitor Matos, will leave. In particular, Rangers, who has helped Liverpool tactics a lot as a head coach, is reportedly planning to build his leadership career.
In an interview with Liverpool, Klopp said, "I think a lot of people will be shocked to hear this. But I have to be able to clearly state this. I love everything about this club, the city, the supporters. I love the team and the staff. But I am confident that I have to make this decision. It is because I am running out of energy."
"Obviously, there's no problem now. But I've known for a long time that I have to say this at some point. I'm fine now. I know I can't continue my work. We've come together, we've gone through everything together, we've come to respect and love, and what's left for you is trust," he continued calmly.
After leaving Liverpool, Klopp plans to take a break and leave football for a while. "If you ask me if I will go back to work, of course. I know myself. I am a person who can't sit still. I will find other things that I can do. But I will not play for another club or country for at least one year. It is impossible. I can't, and I don't intend to do that," he said.
Chances are high that Klopp will not return to the Premier League. "What is clear is that I will not take charge of any other English club other than Liverpool. I am 100 percent sure. That is impossible," Klopp said in an interview with his team, promising that he would not work as a manager in England other than Liverpool.
"My love for Liverpool, my respect for the people, is too great. The second team didn't even think about it. It's not a possibility. Liverpool is a part of my life and a part of my family. I feel like home here. I have no chance to take on another team," he stressed.
After the shocking news, British media "The Athletic" unraveled the behind-the-scenes story of Klopp's resignation under the theme of "Why Coach Klopp chose to leave Liverpool and what FSG is doing now."
According to the media, Klopp decided to resign as Liverpool manager at the end of this season after much thought, and John Henry and Tom Werner of FSG, who were notified by Klopp, were also shocked. They tried to change Klopp's mind, but realized that no matter how hard they tried, they decided to accept Klopp's decision.
Klopp did not change his mind from November to January, when he first thought about this, and was wary of the media revealing that he had decided to leave Liverpool at the end of this season. In response, Klopp decided to set up a meeting at the club level to deliver news to staff, players and fans.
No one knew this until the video was taken. Media outlets said that Klopp filmed the video after the team meeting, and everyone was in shock when the video was released on social media. Some Liverpool employees were in shock and even shed tears.
This is because he highly regarded Klopp's chances of staying at the club. "If this announcement was made last year, it would have been easier to understand than now. Some players also wondered if Klopp would leave his team in May after failing at Liverpool. However, Klopp gave the impression that he would not go anywhere."
Klopp also tried to keep Liverpool in charge until the very end. The Athletic explained that after Hanji Flick was sacked in September last year, Klopp offered to coach the German national team, but Klopp remained in Liverpool to normalize Liverpool again.
The aftermath of Klopp's resignation does not stop there. Klopp's resignation has forced a major shift in the coach. The 2023-24 season is still in full swing, but as Klopp has been confirmed to leave Liverpool at the end of this season, there is already a heated debate in the region over who will replace Klopp.
"Liverpool is vying for a target to replace Klopp," the British Telegraph reported. "Bayer Leverkusen coach Xavi Alonso and Brighton and Hove Albion coach Roberto De Gervi are the top candidates," adding that Alonso and De Gervi are emerging as the top candidates.
Alonso, who has a short career as a coach, is leading Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga this season. Leverkusen is currently on an unbeaten run with 15 wins and four draws in 19 Bundesliga matches. Leverkusen is the only European league team that has no loss. Leverkusen is eyeing a Bundesliga championship beyond Bayern Munich this season.
During his active career, he played for Liverpool and Real Madrid and became a legend of his team. Alonso, a former Liverpool legend and also recognized as a manager, is considered a suitable manager for Liverpool.
De Zerbi is a well-known tactician in the PL. With his strong soccer philosophy, he enabled Brighton to advance to the UEFA competition for the first time since its foundation. De Zerbi's ability is recognized externally, and for this reason, he is considered one of the young leaders who are highly anticipated.
However, it is not expected to be easy to bring in Alonso or De Gervi. This is because there is a possibility that coaches of other teams other than Liverpool will leave the team.
The "Telegraph" said that if Manchester United replaces Eric Turn Haach, it will have De Zerbi and Thomas Tuchel as candidates. If Munich decides to break up with Tuchel, Munich will put Alonso on the candidate list, and if so, Liverpool's plan to appoint a coach will also be disrupted.
In addition, there are more situations that could affect the transfer of coach Gareth Southgate, who may also have to write a resignation letter depending on the 2024 UEFA Euro performance this year, and the presence of Julian Nagelsmann, who is currently in charge of the German national team.
Following Klopp's resignation, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has resigned on Tuesday. "I will leave the club on June 30," Xavi told an official press conference after losing the match against Villarreal. "This decision was made after discussions with club leaders including Juan Laporta. Barcelona needs to change. I made this decision a few days ago, and now I have decided to announce it," he said.
Xavi also said that he would not reverse his decision even if Barcelona wins this season. "I will give everything for the remaining four months. I will do my best to win the league. I think I can still win the league," he said. "The decision of resignation has been made, and I cannot change it," adding that he will put down his baton at the end of this season.
The announcement of Xavi's resignation will inevitably affect the chain shift of directors. The Telegraph even shed light on the announcement of Xavi's resignation, saying that there will be a chain shift of directors starting with Klopp.
In addition, Jose Mourinho, who recently left AS Roma, Antonio Conte, who has not been looking for a new club after Tottenham Hotspur last season, and Graham Potter, the former Chelsea manager, are factors that can affect the manager's movement.
Fans are paying keen attention to whether Liverpool will be able to win the title in the last season with Klopp. Liverpool is currently competing to win the title as it ranks first in the PL this season. Contrary to early expectations that Manchester City and Arsenal will compete for the title, Liverpool is currently leading the league. He boasts a good performance as he easily scores points without his ace, Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool has not won the league since winning their first PL in the 2019-20 season. Attention is focusing on whether Klopp will be able to give Liverpool a second PL win in his final season.
Liverpool has also confirmed its advance to the EFL Cup League Cup final. Liverpool will meet Chelsea in the final. The EFL Cup is also an opportunity for Liverpool, which is seeking its last championship with Klopp. Most of all, Liverpool players are more likely to have been cheated after Klopp's resignation was announced.
