Jurgen Klopp: Pep Guardiola Moved to Tears As He Bids Liverpool Boss Goodbye

Jurgen Klopp: Pep Guardiola Moved to Tears As He Bids Liverpool Boss Goodbye

Martin Moses
May 20, 2024 at 5:49 AM
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  • Pep Guardiola paid a glowing tribute to Jurgen Klopp
  • Klopp's nine-year spell in Merseyside ended on May 19
  • Guardiola admitted he will miss the German tactician

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Emotions ran high at Anfield on May 19 as Jurgen Klopp bid farewell to Liverpool and the Premier League after a glorious nine-year spell in Merseyside.

In a message shared on social media in late January, Klopp had communicated his intention to quit the club at the end of this season.

Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Liverpool, Manchester City, Premier League title
Jurgen Klopp speaks during his farewell ceremony at Anfield on May 19. Photo by Andrew Powell.
Source: Getty Images

His final season was an anti-climax as the Reds won only one of the four trophies they were challenging for. A series of poor results in April saw them surrender their lead in the Premier League, followed by an exit in the Europa League to Atalanta in the quarter-finals.

Tributes have poured from every corner of the world as the German boss embarks on a break from the touchline. Of the goodbye messages, perhaps none is as heartwarming as the one from his greatest rival over the years, Pep Guardiola.

Klopp vs Guardiola rivalry

Although Guardiola often got the better of Liverpool in title races, the Spaniard has never shied away from admitting that Klopp made him a better manager. Liverpool vs Manchester City became the modern-day rivalry, with only a point separating the two teams in two different title races as captured on the latter's website.

In a teary press conference, Guardiola stated that he will miss the former Borussia Dortmund manager a lot.

"He has been a really important person in my life. We respect each other incredibly. I have a feeling that he will be back. I just want to say thank you for his words," he said, as quoted by Hayters TV.

Manchester City make Premier League history

Sports Brief has also reported that Manchester City won the 2023/2024 EPL title. The defending champions became the first side in English history to win four titles in a row.

They beat West Ham 3-1 on the final day, rendering whatever Arsenal did against Everton useless. They finished two points clear at the top.

Guardiola has now won six top-flight titles during his eight years in England.

Authors
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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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Jürgen KloppPep Guardiola