LeBron James paid appreciation to Jurgen Klopp after the Liverpool manager unexpectedly announced his departure from the Premier League squad at the end of the season.

Lakers star James, who owns a minority ownership in the team, took to X on Friday to join the millions of Liverpool fans paying respect to Klopp.

Thank you for everything, and more!! James wrote. ‘You are an incredible manager who will never be forgotten, and most importantly, you will never walk alone!! “The Reds will miss you!!”

Klopp surprised the sporting world with his bombshell revelation on Friday, bringing his nine-season tenure at Liverpool to an end. 

‘I understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people right now when they hear it for the first time, but I can explain it – or at least attempt to explain it,’ Klopp said. 

Jurgen Klopp shocked the athletic world with the news of his Liverpool exit on Friday.

‘I adore everything about this club, the city, our supporters, the players, and the staff. I love everything. However, the fact that I am still making this decision demonstrates that I am confident it is the right one.

‘I’m running out of energy. I have no trouble now; obviously, I have known for a long time that I would have to declare it at some point, but I am completely OK right now. I am aware that I will be unable to complete the task repeatedly.

‘After all the years we spent together, all the time we spent together, and all the things we went through together, my respect for you grew, as did my love for you, and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.

Klopp explained that the idea came to him after a’super-difficult’ 2022-23 season in which the Reds spent the majority of the season trailing the pack at the top of the table before battling their way to fifth place. 

However, he made it clear that he was not leaving for health concerns. 

‘I am fine,’ Klopp remarked. ‘I’m as healthy as you can be at my age. Little bits and bobs, stuff like that, but nothing to be concerned about, so that’s just good. 

‘I informed the club previously in November,’ he said. ‘I’d like to clarify that while people may see my job from the outside, I’m on the touchline, in training sessions, and so on, but the majority of what I do revolves around these types of things. 

‘That implies a season begins, and you are already planning for the following season.

‘As we sat there talking about potential signings, the next summer camp, and where we may go, the idea occurred to me, “I am not sure I am here anymore,” which startled me. I definitely began to think about it.