17 May 2024 , 16:03
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Jurgen Klopp has sarcastically wished his goalkeeping coach, John Achterberg, "good luck" as he prepares to link up with Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia.
Last summer the Liverpool icon took charge of Al-Ettifaq and he will bring the former Tranmere Rovers shot-stopper on board. A host of Klopp's coaching staff are following him out of Anfield this summer with Achterberg choosing to make the move to the Middle East.
There is a growing trend of players and managers heading to the Saudi Pro League, which often means they land lucrative contracts. The quality of the league has been criticised with Gerrard and Al-Ettifaq enduring a lengthy winless run earlier this season.
Klopp has lost players to Saudi - Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson among them - with one of his coaches now opting to make the move. The German's two-word farewell message was perhaps telling, but leaves fans and observers to make their own interpretations.
When Achterberg made the announcement he'd be leaving for the Middle East he underlined the want to seek a new challenge whilst paying tribute to Klopp and the impact he'd had at Liverpool.
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“After 15 years at the club, I have decided with a heavy heart to leave LFC," he said. “It has been an unbelievable and great journey for me and my family. I have loved each day working at this amazing club, but after a long thinking, I feel it could be right for me to start a new challenge.
“It has been a privilege to work for the biggest and greatest club in world football with its amazing supporters. Whether they are Scouse or non-Scouse, I loved them all worldwide. A massive thank you goes to our manager Jürgen Klopp.
Liverpool's goalkeeping coach John Achterberg will link up with Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq (Rene Nijhuis/BSR Agency/Getty Images)"What joy he gives to all of us. Klopp has fulfilled all our dreams at LFC. He is one of (the) best managers in the history of the city, the club and world football. He created world-class teams with his man-management skills, he brought us back to being believers, winners, and a force in European and world football.
“For me personally, I cannot thank him enough for everything he has done for me and my family, for the trust he gave me to do my job to the best I can, the joy, inspiration and the great leadership.”
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