Klopp declines to criticise Manchester City after commission finds serious financial breaches
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declined to comment on Manchester City's financial rules case after an independent commission on Tuesday found the club guilty of serious financial breaches. Klopp said his respect for Pep Guardiola and for the football City produced during their rivalry made him reluctant to weigh in.
Klopp's stance follows a long-running rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City that developed during his nine-year spell at Anfield. Liverpool finished just one point behind City on two occasions during that period, and Klopp had earlier joked he would attend a parade if titles were awarded retrospectively because of developments in the case. He said on Wednesday that his view had changed and he no longer felt comfortable making such remarks.
"I haven't given it much thought, even though I've seen it of course," Klopp told reporters. "I also know what I said about it in the past and how if there's ever a parade I'll be there, but it doesn't feel like that anymore."
"My respect for Pep Guardiola and the football played at City during the time we played against each other... plus what an opponent they proved to be for us at the very highest level is far too great for me to be able to say anything now," he said.
Klopp said the uncertainty surrounding the commission's ruling did not change his view of what Liverpool achieved while he was in charge, and he preferred to let the legal and disciplinary process take its course. He stressed he was comfortable with what Liverpool accomplished during his tenure regardless of what happens with Manchester City.
During Klopp's time at Anfield, Liverpool won the Premier League and Champions League, among other major honours; he left Liverpool in 2024 after nine years in charge. The two clubs pushed each other in a close title rivalry throughout his managerial period.
The club has denied wrongdoing and is expected to appeal the decision, with any potential sanctions yet to be determined, meaning the final consequences of the case remain unresolved.
