New Fenway Sports Group (FSG) football chief executive Michael Edwards, who will run Liverpool's football operations, has not asked Jürgen Klopp if he will remain as manager after this season because he is “not stupid”, he said on Wednesday. the club's German coach.
Edwards' new role at FSG, Liverpool's American owners, was announced on Tuesday and his appointment is seen as a major step forward for the club heading into its next era.
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Klopp said Edwards did not try to dissuade him from leaving the club at the end of the season.
“No, because and it's very important because he's not stupid,” Klopp said.
“To be honest, there was no topic to talk about. Can you imagine me changing my mind? Can you?”
Edwards, who left Liverpool in 2022, was previously their sporting director and is credited with reviewing the club's recruitment strategy and identifying Klopp for the manager's role in 2015.
Klopp said he is happy that Edwards has decided to return to the club after playing a big role in their recent success.
“We always had a very good relationship. Very good on a professional level anyway,” Klopp said.
“Obviously a lot of good things happened when we were here together and then Michael decided to do something else. Now that he's back I'm very happy. I've said several times that I want to see the club in the best place possible after I left.” .
“Anything we can do while I'm here I'll do it. After that, other people will have to do it, I think that's the best solution.”
“Our conversation was great, we talked about a lot of things, what I think about different things, things about players like this, the situation at the club, because I was there all the time when he wasn't there.
“It was a really good talk and that was it. I think it's great news for the club.”
Klopp said the appointment of Edwards, as well as the squad's promising young players, has increased his confidence that Liverpool will be successful on and off the field when he leaves in the summer.
“Yes, absolutely. The club is in a really good moment, in a really good place,” Klopp said.
“People will measure only at the end of the season and see what we really achieved, but that is not so important for the future.
“But the future is important, how good the team is, how good the players are, how good the structure is, how good the organization is. That's where my optimism comes from.”
Liverpool host Sparta Prague in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday with a 5-1 lead.
They will then visit Manchester United for an FA Cup quarter-final clash on Sunday.
“We need the best legs to [Thursday’s] game,” Klopp said.
“We need to keep the pace and move forward… Don't think about the next game on Sunday, even when it's Manchester United.”
