Jurgen Klopp has admitted he had a sense of 'relief' when he decided he was leaving Liverpool.
The German has also warned the media that he will not answer any questions on his departure after today.
Klopp announced the bombshell news on Friday morning that he will quit his role as Liverpool boss at the end of the season.
It will bring an end to a glittering spell on Merseyside of more than eight-and-a-half years.
Jurgen Klopp has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season
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Klopp has won almost every trophy available during his tenure and will be remembered for claiming the club's first top-flight title in 30 years.
But he conceded that he has run out of energy and no longer feels he can put everything into the job.
Klopp admitted that he had first told the club's owners last November that he was planning to quit.
And he says he was relieved when he came to the decision.
Speaking at a press conference, Klopp said: "The relief was there when I made the decision and that was another thing I realised. Today [my emotion] is mixed but I am not as emotional as I will be [when it's over].
"I had to tell the owners, then the supporters and players. The players' reaction was top, really good."
Liverpool arranged the special press conference for Klopp to field questions on his decision.
However, with the Reds still in four competitions this season, Klopp is not prepared to discuss the topic again.
He added: "After today I won't answer any more questions on it (the decision) until the end of the season.
"I had to tell some other people this week earlier and there were some tears, but that's normal after so long together."
Klopp only told the Liverpool squad he was leaving just hours before the news broke.
He revealed how they reacted when he told them, saying: "The players I spoke to altogether and a few others after that. The players didn't have a lot of questions.
"We have a really strong bond. We are professionals... The agreement with the players is for one year (at start of the season). We are completely in that year and the boys are in a really good mood.
"It wasn't like the players were having a party when I told them, but they were out training as normal.
"It's different to when a manager is sacked, who just goes in and says goodbye."
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Jurgen Klopp said there was a sense of relief when he decided he would leave Liverpool
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Liverpool are currently top of the Premier League and qualified for the final of the Carabao Cup in midweek.
They face Norwich in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend, while they are favourites to win the Europa League.
But despite the team performing so well on the pitch, Klopp still feels the time is right to go.
He said: "You realise we are not young rabbits anymore and we don't jump as high as we did.
Jurgen Klopp says he has run out of energy as Liverpool manager
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"I didn't think about it on purpose, it just happened. This club, especially with the team we have, needs a top manager at its level.
"When I can't be there anyone, I have to tell someone.
"I told the club the decision and my coaches the decision. I still think it is the right thing to do."