Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he feels like the ‘last man standing’ after both Graham Potter and Brendan Rodgers lost their jobs.
Potter’s underwhelming spell in charge of Chelsea came to an end on Sunday evening as he was sacked after less than seven months in the job.
The 47-year-old was widely hailed for his spell at Brighton but will now need to revive his managerial career following a dismal spell at Stamford Bridge.
Potter won just 12 of his 31 games in charge of Chelsea and Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa proved to be the final nail in the coffin.
Bruno Saltor, who worked with Potter at Brighton, has been placed in temporary charge of Chelsea ahead of their next game – a Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Tuesday.
Potter was not the only Premier League manager to lose his job over the weekend, with Leicester City also parting ways with Brendan Rodgers after the Foxes slipped into the relegation zone.
Leicester largely impressed under Rodgers – finishing fifth twice and winning their first FA Cup trophy in 2019 – but the Foxes have struggled this season and slipped to 18th after losing to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Klopp has backed ‘fantastic managers’ Potter and Rodgers to revive their managerial careers but admits the fact he has kept his job despite Liverpool’s struggles this season is the ‘elephant in the room’.
‘What can I say about that?’ Klopp said at his pre-match press conference. ‘The elephant in the room is how I am still sitting here in this crazy world? The last man standing!
‘Both clubs are not in spots they expect to be I can’t say much more. I know them both well, I respect them both, I like them both. They are both really good people and fantastic managers.
‘Things can go the wrong way and decision-makers think they need to change. We all accept this part of the business.
‘It’s been a strange week. Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann sacked, and now these two.
‘The season gets to a decisive part and people are afraid of not reaching their targets and that’s it.
‘Looking at all four of them, the future of football management is still bright. It’s not a disaster for any of them. They wont like it but it’s a part of the business.’
Klopp has been under pressure for much of the season, with Liverpool falling outside the Champions League places and 30 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Reds suffered an emphatic 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and will look to boost their fading top-four hopes when they visit Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Asked how Potter’s exit will affect Chelsea, Klopp added: ‘After a manager leaves, I don’t know. The coaching staff are obviously staying.
‘I’m petty sure Chelsea will want to show a reaction. Line-up wise there might be a change to their system, I don’t know.’
MORE : Chelsea plan to interview five candidates to replace Graham Potter
MORE : Graham Potter set for Chelsea pay off but not full £50m value of his contract
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