'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has backed Jurgen Klopp to take up the job at Bayern Munich and believes he would be the perfect replacement should Pep Guardiola leave the club at the end of this season, as reported by ESPN.
The current Bayern Munich boss’ contract runs out at the end of the campaign and several reports suggest that he could be interested in a move to the Premier League or the England national team. On the other hand, the former BVB boss Klopp has also been heavily linked with a Premier League side Liverpool for the past few weeks.
Despite previously admitting to the fact that Klopp would open to the Bayern job, the German is reportedly set to tour England this week and visit several English sides. Bayern Munich job, however, still remains his first preference.
Zorc is not the only person to back Klopp’s choice to succeed Guardiola at the Allianz Arena. Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has also admitted last month that the German would be a “100 percent suitable” replacement for Guardiola.
Bundesliga is set to witness an exciting derby clash between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich on Sunday. This will be the first derby match for the team in yellow without Klopp on the technical area since the 2008 DFB Pokal Final. Zorc has admitted that the former manager’s absence will be felt.
"It would be an unusual sight, but in the end also not a matter of our concern." Zorc said.
Klopp has led the Yellow Submarine to two Bundesliga titles and a DFB Pokal during his seven-year reign at the club. Unfortunately, he suffered a dip in form last season and he made a decision to leave the club.
Ever since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel this summer, Dortmund have enjoyed a revival by winning their first 11 games in all competitions this term. They now sit second in the table with four points behind the league leaders Bayern Munich.
Dortmund are back to their best: Mario Gotze
Mario Gotze, during his time with Dortmund, played a pivotal role in Klopp’s success at the club. The German midfielder was eventually sold in 2013 to Bayern Munich, which left the fans unimpressed at Westfalenstadion.
There’s no love lost as Gotze has always kept Dortmund close to his heart and he has admitted that his former club’s impressive start to the season was no surprise.
"BVB, already before Thomas Tuchel came in, had a great team," Gotze said.
"They never lacked quality, and the way they are playing football right now is a hint that they might compete for the title until the very end."
"To me, those games are still very emotional."
Before they get ready to take on the Bavarians on Sunday, Dortmund will need to first travel to PAOK Saloniki in a Europa League match. Players including Kagawa, Hummels, Aubameyang, Sokratis and Gundogan have all been left behind for the trip to Greece as Tuchel looks to preserve his key players for the derby match.
