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Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino admitted that he is "really sad" at Jurgen Klopp's surprise announcement that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. The Argentine shares a strong mutual respect with Klopp, who sent him a very touching message after he was sacked by Tottenham in 2019.
Chelsea had drawn 0-0 with Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday evening, but after taking to his post-match press conference there was one topic that Pochettino was keen to discuss first.
Klopp's bombshell announcement took the footballing world by surprise and Pochettino was no different, who insists that Klopp will be missed by English football after nine years at Anfield that saw him win every trophy possible, with a chance of continuing that feat in the Europa League this season.
Pochettino first shared a touchline with Klopp at Southampton, before heading to north London. He took Spurs to the Champions League final against his German counterpart, but was sacked just a few months after their defeat in Slovenia.
Pochettino explained how Klopp was the first person to get in touch with him following the dismissal, a gesture that speaks volumes about the Reds head coach and one that clearly stuck with the now-Chelsea man.
“I was in shock," Pochettino said when asked about Klopp's Liverpool exit. "Today, I was working and received the news. It is really sad. We already missed him. When I was sacked from Tottenham, the first message I received was from him. The job he has done with Liverpool is amazing.
