Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has officially announced that he will part ways with his club at the end of the season. The announcement comes in the wake of Borussia Dortmund’s worst season in years, one that has seen them shrink from being one of Europe’s powerhouses to a side stuck in the middle of the Bundesliga table.
"I always said in that moment where I believe I am not the perfect coach anymore for this extraordinary club, I will say so," Klopp said as he confirmed the announcement. "I believe this is the right decision at the right time.”
Klopp is seen by many as a visionary manager, not just in the Bundesliga, but around the world. He lead Dortmund to a 7 year run of success unprecedented in the club’s history: two league titles, two runners-up, two Supercups, and a German cup. He brought players such as Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski, and Marco Reus into the side, and turned them into genuine superstars.
Before the announcement, Klopp had planned on going on sabbatical, but it seems that he will forgo that in favor of new managerial opportunities.
"I have not had any contact with any other clubs, nor have I any plans to take a sabbatical.”
"I just wanted to make my decision known now so that [Dortmund] can plan for the future."
Because of his success at Dortmund, Klopp will undoubtedly be one of the most sought after coaches this summer. Clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal have long been rumored to want his services, and the struggles of Manchester City make them a prime candidate as well.