Liverpool supporters have been rocked by the news that Jurgen Klopp‘s assistant Zeljko Buvac will be absent until the end of the season.
It was confirmed on Monday that Buvac will be taking a break from his duties due to “personal reasons”, but the club have insisted that he remains an employee.
There were previous claims over the weekend suggesting there had been a falling out between him and Klopp, and some still believe that to be the real reason behind the decision.
Known as the “The Brain” of Klopp’s coaching setup, the Bosnian is an influential figure at Melwood, so the news is far from ideal ahead of the upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg against Roma.
With first-team development coach Pepijn Lijnders having left his role in January to take up a management role, Klopp’s staff are two men down at the end of the season.
Fans and media have been voicing their concern at the news on social media and our forums, with plenty of scepticism over whether Buvac has indeed only left until the end of the season for “personal reasons”.
Couple of thoughts on Buvac. Him and Klopp have had huge rows before but always made up. This might not be the end of the story. Short term effect is negligible but Klopp will want somebody else to bounce ideas off next season if he doesn’t come back.
— Raphael Honigstein? (@honigstein) April 30, 2018
Since the Roma 1st leg: Chamberlain out for the season, Salah involved in high profile dispute with Egyptian FA, Henderson/Trent picking up knocks vs Stoke, Buvac stepping down for the time being. Not the ideal preparation…could do with no more bad news before Wednesday.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) April 30, 2018
Good to hear Buvac hasn't quit. It's a real shame he's not around for the rest of the season, but personal stuff has to take precedence. Hope whatever it is works out and he's back next season.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) April 30, 2018
“So he has quit and this is merely a PR response . Otherwise why would he take a leave of absence before our biggest games?”
– Nav Garayal on Facebook.
Hope that its just personal reasons and he'll be back for preseason. So vital to Klopp and LFC #Buvac
— Dinesh Kumar (@DHardayal) April 30, 2018
Whatever the reason Buvac not being involved between now and the end of the season is a huge blow. Worst possible timing..
— Aaron Cutler (@aaron_cutler) April 30, 2018
Not sure we'll be seeing Buvac again. Mighty blow with such a massive game in two days.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) April 30, 2018
“It’s horrible news. Right before our biggest game in over 10 years.”
– Iluvatar on the forums.
What on earth could've happened for Buvac to leave, if true, at this moment after 17 years with Klopp?? Their friendship & working relationship is very long. And Klopp's reliance on Buvac is more than most manager's on their number 2. 'The Brain'. Huge loss if true.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) April 30, 2018
Reckon Pep will come back instead?
— Dinesh Kumar (@DHardayal) April 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/990871339635535872
“Whatever the reason, wrong timing and not good for team spirit. Especially with the season defining game on Wednesday coming.”
– Victor Kaonga on Facebook.
Not exactly the best start to a pivotal week in Liverpool’s season.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) April 30, 2018
“And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like "he should just be getting rid of it, instead of trying to play out from the back there”…” pic.twitter.com/LTW9sk9I9b
— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) April 30, 2018
Worst break up since Ross and Rachel https://t.co/vYgkuvE39e
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) April 30, 2018
“This sounds really fishy and typical damage control stuff. Have a weird feeling it’s the end of him here. We usually come up with such stuff to prevent the rumours from spreading.”
– Incognito on the forums.
New LFC assistant.. pic.twitter.com/omItPjKVyz
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) April 30, 2018
The more you read into Buvac’s departure, the worse it gets. Lijnders & Buvac have now both left a coaching team which seemed to work so well. Klopp now has to get the team through a massive week & keep them focused on what is at stake.
— LFC Round Up (@LFCroundup) April 30, 2018
No. It is not good news. Patrice Bergues (2001). Pako Ayesteran (2007). Zeljko Buvac (2018). European success is beginning of end for trusted LFC assistants, it seems. https://t.co/1c20W12syR
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) April 30, 2018
Appreciate the optimism, or hope, Zeljko will return, but the timing is extraordinary.
And very depressing from an LFC perspective. https://t.co/AdEcD6QZVv— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) April 30, 2018
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