‘Relating’ to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool Exit, USWNT Boss Emma Hayes Calls For ‘Mental Health’ Reforms in Soccer

This is a time when mental fatigue and burnout are taking a toll on otherwise successful soccer managers. After winning seven titles in nine years with Liverpool, legendary coach Jurgen Klopp announced he would leave in the summer because he was “running out of energy.” Elsewhere, Xavi Hernandez announced his Barcelona exit, after he felt he was doing a thankless job as Barca’s coach. Set to leave the Chelsea Women’s team for USWNT, English boss Emma Hayes has now empathized with Klopp. While doing so, she highlighted soccer leagues rarely give ‘enough attention’ to a coach’s mental well-being.

Emma Hayes will join USWNT after this season with Chelsea. International duty comes with a lesser workload than coaching a club. Besides, the move would also allow Hayes to spend ample time with her son, which was a luxury for a Chelsea boss.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool exit over burnout gets staunch backing from Emma Hayes

In a recent conversation, Emma Hayes was asked if she related to Jurgen Klopp leaving because he ran out of energy. “I related to everything he said. I don’t think maybe enough attention and time is put on the mental health and well-being of staff in football – definitely,” said Emma Hayes. She added: “I think everybody expects the most from us; players expect the most from us, the club expects everything, everyone expects everything. But the volume of hours you have to commit to this job is unsustainable,” as compiled by The Standard.

Emma Hayes also pointed out that Jurgen Klopp has the liberty to take a break from his tiring job. She says the likes of Klopp earn a remarkably higher salary than their female counterparts. Hayes, on the other hand, had to continue with her coaching run, while coping with her father’s loss. Furthermore, due to pay-related reasons, she cannot take a break after her Chelsea stint and therefore nodded to the immediate USWNT switch. Anyhow, she has clarity as to where she is going next. But the German boss does not have a similar clarity.

Klopp’s future after his Liverpool exit

Jurgen Klopp is that manager for whom teams would compete once he is back in the market. However, since he is quitting the Reds because of burnout, he won’t probably take up a new job soon. Besides, he has assured Liverpool fans that he won’t coach any other English club for that matter. With Xavi’s exit knocking on the door in Barcelona, rumors link Klopp to the Catalan club.

READ MORE: “Kyle Walker Loses From Time to Time” – Jurgen Klopp on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Defending

Meanwhile, German legend and Real Madrid superstar Toni Kroos has pipped fellow compatriot Klopp to consider coaching Germany’s national team. Germany has been struggling since they won the World Cup in 2014. Now such a mighty team is almost in oblivion. Considering Klopp’s German background and managerial prowess, he can surely redeem the four-time World Champions. Moreover, the 56-year-old could reduce his workload on international duty, similar to the to-be USWNT boss, Emma Hayes.

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