Erik ten Hag sends message to Jurgen Klopp after rival announces Liverpool exit

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has congratulated Jurgen Klopp for his work at Liverpool following his shock announcement he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season.

Klopp revealed on Friday he will be stepping down from his role as the Reds' manager in the summer and tributes have begun to pour in for the legendary boss.

One such manager to give Klopp his flowers is Ten Hag of rivals United. The Dutchman was asked about Klopp's departure at a press conference on Friday ahead of this weekend's trip to Newport County in the FA Cup fourth round.

"It's no good for the Premier League," Ten Hag declared. "So he has made an era there, he built the club, he brought the club back where they belong, so congratulations on that. He has done an amazing job in Liverpool.

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"I can understand [he ran out of energy]. Nine years is a long time. I think it's a period of building up, achieving targets but also I think setbacks and going into difficult periods.

"The Premier League is very intense, the combination with European club football, when you're there nine years it's a long period and I can understand he is running out of energy and that is one of his arguments to step down."

Ten Hag first faced off against Klopp during his penultimate season in charge of Ajax, with Liverpool winning 1-0 home and away during the 2020/21 group stage.

Upon his arrival at United in the summer of 2022, Ten Hag stated that "eras come to an end" in regards to Manchester City and Klopp's Liverpool's dominance in recent years. In his three meeting with Liverpool as United boss to date, Ten Hag has overseen one win, one draw and one loss.

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