Neil Lennon says he has sympathy with departing Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after the German decided to call it quits after nine years.
In a rare insight into the life of a manager at the top level, the former Celtic boss revealed how the pressure he was under impacted his decision to end his first spell in Glasgow’s East End after three league titles on the spin.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show he said: “He’s been doing this for nine years at the top level so I get it, he’s just running out of steam. He probably feels like he can’t give his best. I did it after four years at Celtic the first time. You just feel like, have I got the appetite or enthusiasm to go again next year?”
“Day to day your whole time is taken up with the team, the media, meetings, preparation, game after game after game.
“Sometimes when it’s game after game it’s not too bad you know, but then as soon as you win something the whole process starts again and you start building for the next season and the next trophy chase.”
Lennon, who has had spells managing in England and Cyprus with Bolton and Omonia, believes that the strain put on managers in modern football is preventing another 20-year dynasty as seen with Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.
He added: “I know everybody talks about Wenger and Ferguson but it’s different times now, the scrutiny and analysis is so much more.”
“He’s been a joy, I love watching his teams play but I totally respect his decision and I understand it as well. He’ll be a huge loss to Liverpool and to the Premier League.”
