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CGTN Sports Talk: Why did Klopp, Xavi decide to step down?

CGTN

CGTN Sports Talk: Why did Klopp, Xavi decide to step down?

CGTN Sports Talk EP272 Managers announce to step down.mp3

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It's not rare for football heavyweights to part ways with their managers at the end of a season, but such breakups don't happen in the middle of the season very often, not to mention twice within three days.

Jurgen Klopp announced that he will leave Liverpool after the 2023-24 season because he is running out of energy after working in the position for over eight years. Judging by the club's performance under him, he is their best manager in the past 30 years.

Xavi is in his third season as Barca's manager. Though they didn't perform well in the UEFA Champions League, the team won their first La Liga title in four seasons during the 2022-23 campaign.

Where do the two managers' departures leave the two clubs after the 2023-24 season?

Xavi Hernandez, manager of Barcelona, gestures during the La Liga game against Villarreal CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, January 27, 2024. /CFP
Xavi Hernandez, manager of Barcelona, gestures during the La Liga game against Villarreal CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, January 27, 2024. /CFP

Xavi Hernandez, manager of Barcelona, gestures during the La Liga game against Villarreal CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, January 27, 2024. /CFP

Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool, gestures during the Premier League game against Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool, England, March 7, 2020. /CFP
Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool, gestures during the Premier League game against Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool, England, March 7, 2020. /CFP

Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool, gestures during the Premier League game against Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool, England, March 7, 2020. /CFP

Host: Li Xiang

Guests: Josh McNally

Cover designer: Feng Yuan

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