Jurgen Klopp pays tribute to Bill Kenwright after Everton announce death
Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to Bill Kenwright after Everton confirmed his death on Tuesday (24 October).
Speaking in a press conference on Wednesday (25 October, via the Liverpool Echo), the Liverpool manager said the Toffees chairman had a “massive heart” for the city and for the Blues.
He added that the speech the 78-year-old gave around the time of the Hillsborough Disaster sent a “really strong message” as he sent his condolences to the Everton chief’s family.
“The thing that I read recently, obviously, [he had] a massive heart for the city [of Liverpool] and a massive heart for Everton but the message he gave around the Hillsborough speech he held that time, I heard about: ‘They chose the wrong city and chose the wrong mums’. That’s a really strong message,” said Klopp.
“With all of the rivalry with Everton, especially around the games, I don’t think we have any issues with each other left or right of games. This just shows how united we are in these moments, and that’s really big. He found the right words for it. My condolences to the family. I hope they are ok.”
Sadness
There will be a lot of great sadness on Merseyside following the news that Kenwright passed away with his loved ones alongside him on Monday (23 October).
He will be missed by many associated with Everton after he has been strongly affiliated with the club for more than 30 years.
The people of Liverpool in general will be thankful for the way he spoke about the Hillsborough Disaster at the time, as Klopp alluded to in his press conference.
While there is a strong rivalry on the pitch between the two Merseyside clubs, they often come together off the pitch in moments of tragedy.
Kenwright’s life will no doubt be celebrated around the grounds in the Premier League this weekend before a special tribute will be paid to him when the Toffees face Burnley in the Carabao Cup on 1 November at Goodison Park.
In other Everton news, Jim White and Alan Myers have paid tribute to Kenwright.