A body language specialist argues that the work has “taken its toll,” and during his Liverpool exit video, Jurgen Klopp looks “very tired and burned out.”
When the 56-year-old manager revealed he would be taking a break from football at the end of the current season, Liverpool fans were taken aback. Body language specialist Darren Stanton is certain that his nine-year tenure at Anfield has taken a toll on his health.
Analyzing Klopp’s nonverbal cues, Stanton noted that the lower volume, tone, and pitch of his voice alluded to both physical and mental weariness.
He said, “Klopp looks like a very tired and burned-out man,” to MegaDice.com. His tone, loudness, and pitch were all lower, which indicates that he was psychologically as well as physically exhausted. His time at Liverpool has taken a toll on him, and it will take him several months to regain his strength. He is now forced to choose between keeping his career and maintaining his health.”
It appears from Klopp’s speech that he is reluctantly admitting his time at the team is coming to an end. Crucially, Stanton feels that Klopp makes the final decision because he doesn’t see any indications of outside pressure.
“There were no signs that he was under any external pressure, so his body language tells me that the decision is entirely his,” Stanton stated.
“His head bent and jaw dropped, along with other melancholic facial gestures, all match what he’s saying. He is truly saddened and disappointed that he has no other choice than to depart. He frequently touches his legs in a reassuring manner, as if he were hugging himself and telling himself, “This is the right thing to do.” In the video, he displayed great bravery by exposing his entire body and without hiding behind a desk or anything similar. This demonstrates the honesty with which he speaks.”
While he did not explicitly state that he was planning to retire, Klopp did insist that he would not manage a football club until at least the summer of 2025. Stanton confirmed his thoughts, saying, “Based on his recent observations and current body language, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him in management and he may well be back after a year away from the game.” He can’t control his emotions and is too sensitive to football; he can’t focus on it for an extended period of time.”
Next up for Klopp’s team is a home FA Cup fourth-round match against Norwich City on Sunday.