Borussia Dortmund and their boss Jurgen Klopp have become inseparable over the years. The sight of the German boss shouting from the BVB dugout, his burst at referees, his crazy leaps into the air every time his side score has become synonymous with the Bundesliga side.
However, this will soon come to an end. The 47-year-old manager has asked Borussia Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke to terminate his contract, as revealed by the coach himself in a press-conference, deciding to depart from the club this summer.
"It's not that I'm tired, I've not had contact with another club but don't plan to take a sabbatical," he said.
Klopp confirms he will leave BVB this summer
BREAKING: Jurgen Klopp will leave his position as manager of @BVB at the end of the current season. #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/105Dw9znKl
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) April 15, 2015
Jürgen Klopp will leave @BVB at the end of the season. Tweet us your tributes to the charismatic coach... #UCL pic.twitter.com/bak91s1ZGG
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 15, 2015
One of the best? Tweet us your thoughts on Jürgen #Klopp stepping down as @BVB coach at the end of the season pic.twitter.com/A0n9i3hlOw
— Bundesliga (@Bundesliga_EN) April 15, 2015
Klopp is highly regarded as one of Europe's most talented coaches, having led die Schwarzgelben to back-to-back German league titles and a UEFA Champions League final back in 2012.
At the helms at Signal Iduna Park since 2008, Klopp has been struggling to guide BVB to the heights the fans have become accustomed with. Having battled relegation throughout most of the season, they currently sit in 10th spot, 37 points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Revealing his intentions to depart in a news conference, Klopp continued to say: "I always said in that moment where I believe I am not the perfect coach anymore for this extraordinary club I will say so.
"I really think the decision is the right one. This club deserves to be coached from the 100% right manager."
"I chose this time to announce it because in the last few years some player decisions were made late and there was no time to react."
Popular German tabloid BILD first broke the news, reporting that the former Mainz boss, whose current contract with BVB runs until 2018, will be quiting the club at the end of the season to take a break from football.
This is how BILD are reporting the news that Klopp will leave Dortmund at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/rmOZrMHDQO
— Eurosport.com (@EurosportCom_EN) April 15, 2015
The German manager has become somewhat of a legend among the club's faithful, so news of his evident departure came as a heartbreak to the fans. People across the world paid tribute to the manager, whilst others speculated where he could be headed to next.
Reaction to Klopp's bombshell
Legends never die The memories & moments Klopp created at BVB will never be forgotten pic.twitter.com/1xnZ3t3bz9
— Home of Fußball (@ExcitableExpert) April 15, 2015
Thank you again. And remember that you always are going to be a BLACK AND YELLOW MAN. @BVB #bvb09 #DankeKlopp #jürgenklopp #klopp
— Marco Weidenfeller (@DFB__BVB) April 15, 2015
All the best for #Klopp and @BVB
— Jakob Wrmbke (@Jakobwrmbke) April 15, 2015
#Klopp Legend at @BVB ...!!! #Respect Can't see anyone else repeating what Klopp did at @BVB
— Sukesh Shekhar (@TalesofSukesh) April 15, 2015
#Klopp pic.twitter.com/JBviNSVfN3
— Amr Mansour (@AmrMohd10) April 15, 2015
This is the worst day of my life! #Klopp #BVB
— #TeamKloppo (@HeartInDortmund) April 15, 2015
Abandoning the sinking ship? #Klopp
— Sháyne - JFT96 (@Shayne_afc) April 15, 2015
Whoever he goes to, he’s a lovely guy, great coach and a big character. Would add to our league greatly. #Klopp
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) April 15, 2015
#Klopp please take a much earned break and replace #wenger once he retires. #arsenal
— Ramachandran (@bewithram85) April 15, 2015
Must be heading to City then #Klopp
— Ian Varley (@IanVarley9) April 15, 2015
Big Big news about #Klopp leaving @BVB. Who ever gets him,might also get Reus and Hummels.Interesting to see where he goes. @TransferRelated
— karanwaitforitgorad (@karangorad) April 15, 2015
Bae: Come over. Klopp: Can't, still coach of #BVB. Bae: My parents are gone all summer... Klopp: pic.twitter.com/aMGuvapyiI
— Kuba Krzyżostaniak (@KubaLech) April 15, 2015
Pretending this Klopp press conference isn't happening... Heartbroken. #BVB pic.twitter.com/e2PvFj3Gfa
— Copa90 (@Copa90) April 15, 2015
It is believed that his next destination will be the English Premier League, with Manchester City tipped as favorites to land him. Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all rumored to be interested in Jurgen as well.