Jurgen Klopp agrees to stay at Borussia Dortmund till 2018

Jurgen Klopp

There is good news for Dortmund fans, who are just receiving confirmation that their coach Jurgen Klopp has agreed a new extension that will keep him at the club till 2018. The past few days have seen Klopp being discussed for a possible move to become coach of the German national team or even a journey to England for a coaching stint in the Premier League. However, Klopp had agreed to stay at the club till 2016 in a deal that was signed just last year. In a move, perhaps to quell these rumours about his availability the two sides have agreed revised terms that extends the relationship through the next five years.

In a statement issued to the press, Hans-Joachim Watzke, the general manager of the club said, “Since you should never separate that which belongs together, we’ve extended the contract of our head coach and his team once again.” The club also posted an image of the signed pages of a contract, with just 2018 above the picture.

For his part, Klopp had this to say - “We’re all still just a little bit in love with this club and the way in which things are progressing here.” It took a while for the man to warm up, but three years after joining the club in 2008, Klopp and his assistant Zeljko Buvac have worked together to deliver two Bundesliga titles, a league and cup double in 2012 and the Champions League final against Bayern Munich earlier this year.

Dortmund are currently a point behind the leaders, having played ten games. Pep Guardiola’s Bavarian team is at the head of the table with a protracted battle in the offing for German honours in what promises to be yet another enthralling duel between the two clubs. Michael Zorc, the director of sport, summed up the mood at BVB with a simple comment. “Jürgen stands for the further development of this team. He is the perfect coach for BVB.” said Zorc, reflecting the sentiment at the club.

Just a few months ago, Klopp was an unhappy camper incensed by the sale of Mario Gotze to Munich. In recent months, he had also admitted that he was approached by both Chelsea and Manchester City. But he joked to say that England can wait till his English improves and that he could probably be open to consider a role at either Manchester or Liverpool.

For now though, the club and coach seem to have reignited their love affair and seem happy to turn it stronger and longer to help offer much needed continuity to the players and fans of the formidable club. At the end of this season, Klopp (2008 – ) should emulate Ottmar Hitzfeld’s record of six years (1991-1997) at the helm of the club.