BERLIN: Coach Juergen Klopp has committed himself to Borussia Dortmund until at least 2018 after signing a two-year contract extension yesterday with last season’s Champions League runners-up.
Among the most sought-after coaches in Europe, Klopp, who joined Dortmund in 2008, led them to the Bundesliga title in 2011 and the domestic league and Cup double in 2012 before losing to German rivals Bayern Munich in this year’s Champions League final.
Ushering in an era of exciting, attack-minded football that has won over scores of fans worldwide, Klopp’s arrival marked a turning-point Dortmund who were on the brink of bankruptcy less than 10 years ago.
“No one needs to call until 2018,” a smiling Klopp told reporters in a hastily arranged news conference in Dortmund. “We feel a lot of extraordinary trust and confidence in this club. This is a clear sign.”
“It is an honour that some international top clubs consider that we are doing good work here but I do not belong to those who constantly think about whether the grass is greener somewhere else. So thank you but no chance,” he said.
“To have four and a half years of secure employment in our business is unusual but we will not go soft,” Klopp said.
Instead we have a huge appetite to take on the tasks at hand. We want to continue the successful path and ideally make it even more successful.” REUTERS
