Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan has vowed to go through the same thorough managerial recruitment process that led the club to Jurgen Klopp eight and a half years ago.
Klopp stunned the world of football this morning by announcing he would leave Anfield at the end of the season, citing fatigue for his decision.
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He still has four months left in the job with the club fighting for silverware on four fronts but the decision to go public today, having informed the club of his intentions in November, is to help with succession planning.
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is the early favourite to replace Klopp but Hogan said there would be no “running commentary” on their search.
Hogan said: “We’ll go through the same process that brought us Jurgen almost nine years ago.
“We will do the process in private with, as Jurgen said, the ownership and when we have further news we can discuss it but it won’t be a running commentary.
“At this club we prefer to operate on only speaking when we know. We won’t get into the name game.”
Hogan refused to give a timeframe on when he expects progress to be made, adding: “I don’t want to set an expectation because it’s a process we will go through.
“The way we operate as a football club is to look at all the information, the data and with due diligence and then make our decision. I can’t put a time on it.
“It will happen behind the scenes. It’s not to be a distraction… it’s about the campaign continuing and the team continuing to perform.
“When we have something to say, we will have something to say at that point.”
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) JANUARY 26, 2024
Hogan admitted he was surprised when he learned of Klopp’s decision but, having spoken to him, fully understood the reasoning.
“The news is sad and I’m sure supporters share that emotion,” he said.
“We’ve had talks over the last few months and the first time we spoke about it from professional and personal stand point, I can see from my perspective that it’s a decision he’s comfortable with.
“When your friend and colleague comes to a decision like that you respect it.
“I’m surprised in a sense but I understand it. It’s a sad day but, credit to Jurgen, he’s come to a decision that allows the club to go through an orderly process. That’s not easy to do if this news isn’t public.”
