Having joined BVB in 2008, Klopp’s current contract expires in 2018. The 47-year old German, however, asked the club to release him at the end of the current season. The chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed that the club has agreed to release Klopp from his contract.
In a press conference today, Jürgen Klopp said that Borussia Dortmund needs a change:
“I believe that Borussia Dortmund actually needs a change. A major problem certainly is: As long as I am here, we are always considering the successes of the past.”
Jürgen Klopp won many honors at the club including two Bundesliga titles and a league double in 2011-12. He took the club to the Champions League final in 2012-13, where they lost to Bayern Munich. He also won individual honors while at the club, including German Football Manager of the year in 2011 and 2012.
This season Borussia Dortmund had to struggle to keep up with their rivals and title favourites, Bayern Munich, as Klopp’s side went bottom of the Bundesliga table at the turn of the year. Currently in 10th spot, BVB still remain 37 points behind leaders, Bayern Munich. Their Champions League dreams were also shattered in the round of 16, when Juventus knocked them out comprehensively.
Being one the most successful and charismatic managers in Europe, Jürgen Klopp has been linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including the Premier League side Manchester City. Considering their recent drop in the league and Europe, Manchester City remain as one the favorites to sign the German as their new manager, replacing Manuel Pellegrini, who has been struggling this season.
The German newspaper Bild claims that Thomas Tuchel remains the front-runner to be the next Borussia Dortmund manager. Tuchel was recently offered a job at Hamburg, which he had turned down.
