On Tuesday, Borussia Dortmund announced that their coach Jürgen Klopp had signed a new five-year deal that will keep the German at the North Rhine side until 2018. For the club it’s a shrewd a signing as any player in their history.



The 46 year old has reinvented BVB from struggling underachievers to Euopean heavyweights, capable of giving the very best a run for their money and the swindling romance is set to continue.

As a player, Klopp was a loyal servant to Mainz O5 and carved out his name as a solid defender after originally playing up front. His transformation to a world class manager was a slow one, his first taste has a manager was at his beloved Mainz, guiding them to the UEFA Cup in 2005, but were relegated in 2007. Klopp, showing his loyalty even in the earlier stages of his career remained at the club but was unable to achieve promotion back to the big time.

Taking over the reigns at Dortmund in 2008, the then forty one year old immediately fell head over heels. Surrounded by the best fans in the world, he started to reinvigorate the club, taking them to Supercup success in his first season and leading them to a respectable sixth place.

2010/11 would be the season of blossoming love. Buoyed on by signings such as Robert lewandowski and Shinji Kagawa, Borussia claimed an unlikely Bundesliga title in remarkable fashion, consigning rivals Bayern Munich to third place.

Showing the world it was no fluke, the 2011-12 season would be one of the most memorable for both Klopp and Dortmund. Firmly breaking Munich’s dominance in German football the club broke numerous records including highest points total in a single season with 81. Completing a cup double they hammered Bayern 5-2 in the DFB Pokal final.

A passionate man, the former Mainz trainer often lets his emotions get the better of him, ‘we want to fight for our life, and we want to make our parents proud. We want to do everything we can to win this final. If we win, we are not the best team in the world-but we beat the best team in the world!’ he exclaimed before a cup game.

The secret of this great affair has been a strong relationship with the in-laws. Klopp and chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke have not always seen eye to eye, especially concerning the sale of star man Mario Gotze, but the two men offer encouragement in each other’s ability.

2012/13 was the season the rest of Europe fell in love with Borussia Dortmund. Although the campaign would end in bitter disappointment, losing out on both the league and champion’s league to rivals Bayern, BVB have made a name for themselves as everyone’s second favourite team.

Making a strong start to the current season the flame burns bright. Klopp was incredibly left out of the nominations for coach of the year but his desire to succeed will surely bring accolades aplenty in the near future.