Fenway Sports Group, owner of Liverpool FC, has been the subject of debate among pundits and supporters since their takeover of Liverpool in late 2010. It continued even after Jurgen Klopp became Reds manager four years later.
“They don't care about the club” and “They don't support Jurgen Klopp enough” are statements that have been mentioned on several occasions, but the German has always stood behind them and defended their choices.
When the Liverpool manager was sacked on Tuesday, in front of several thousand supporters at the M&S Arena, he was more open about one thing in particular he had never agreed with: selling Melwood back in 2019.
– We built two new stands, built a unique, state-of-the-art training facility (in Kirkby) and bought back Melwood. Selling it is the stupidest decision I've ever heard. And luckily we bought it back for the ladies, “This is Anfield,” Klopp said with a smile on his face, according to the newspaper..
No doubt the choice to sell fell to John W. Henry and Thomas Werner, owners of FSG. The land on which the previous facility stood was sold to property company Taurus, which planned to build housing on the spot where Liverpool's former training facility stood.
Four years later, in June 2023, it was counter-announced that Liverpool had bought him back, at an estimated loss of £3m. Since then, Liverpool Women have pulled off a huge upset in the FA Women's Super League, recently finishing in a strong fourth place.
I think he got time and space
Shortly after the minor upset by the owners, Klopp was quick to back his former bosses once again. He is not in the league with fans who believe the club has spent too little money compared to rivals such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United.
– We did it the Liverpool way, that's how I see it. It depends on how the city has developed in recent decades, perhaps since the 1990s. Then we didn't win anything for a while, so it's very impressive that we were able to do it together.
– The owners also participated in this. I know them and they are good people. “It's not like they don't care what we think, even if many ask for more money and so on,” Klopp said.
In conclusion, he tried to explain that FSG are not only at Liverpool because they are supporters of football, but their goal is primarily to make money, as is the case in all other English clubs.
– Owners do what owners do, what a surprise! Of course they want to make money. Sorry to say it, but it's not like they make money every day.
-We should be happy to have these owners and not people buying clubs in London and the like. “I wouldn't be able to stay at Liverpool for one season if that were the case,” he laughed.
The outgoing Liverpool manager has undoubtedly struck a blow in the direction of Chelsea, who chose to send Mauricio Pochettino out the door last week. The Argentine finally managed to get some support, but it was not enough to convince the demanding and impatient owners at Stamford Bridge.
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