Zeljko Buvac & Liverpool

Over the weekend in the Times, journalist Paul Joyce has looked into the affect of Zeljko Buvac’s departure from Liverpool.

Zeljko Buvac surprisingly stopped working as Jurgen Klopp’s right hand man back in May.

Buvac is commonly known at ‘the brain’.

According to Paul Joyce, after several months, Liverpool and Buvac have finally reached a settlement:

Until recently Buvac has officially been on leave, but it is understood his contract has now been settled. 

Why did Buvac leave Liverpool?

Paul Joyce has also dug into the reasons for Buvac’s move to leave his Anfield post.

Was it because of some falling out with Klopp?

Is there a big secret?

No, sadly Joyce details the following “mundane” reason for the split:

The reasons behind Buvac’s split four days before the Champions League semi-final, second-leg tie at home to Roma are underwhelmingly mundane. There was no fallout that blew apart a successful 17-year partnership.

At half-time of a goalless draw with Stoke City at Anfield last April, Buvac’s absence as the rest of the coaching staff gathered in an area of the dressing room to debrief was noticeable. He had become distant over a number of months, although Klopp and Buvac rarely, if ever, socialised together, and the downturn became a death by a thousand cuts.

How Jurgen Klopp has changed after Buvac

Many Liverpool fans were fearing for their club when Buvac left the Reds.

However Liverpool have gone from strength to strength this season, while they could win the title for the first time in 29 years.

In looking at how Klopp has changed since Buvac’s exit, Paul Joyce noted the following:

Without Buvac by his side, Klopp has become more authoritarian and decisive. 

Buvac’s influence on the training pitch was always measured by what he did, rather than what he said, but the practical daily impact has not bit hard.

Also see: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Three controversial handballs analysed.

Liverpool & Man City have backed their managers – Jose Mourinho.