Jürgen Klopp's famous Dortmund moments
It's happening, Bundesliga fans: time to get used to Borussia Dortmund without Jürgen Klopp. It's been seven years of joy for BVB's loyal faithful. DW looks back at some of Kloppo's biggest triumphs at the club.
A face we've become used to
A clean-shaven, suited and booted Jürgen Klopp arrived at his first Borussia Dortmund press conference in 2008 with a smile as wide as the room. Expectations weren't the highest, but the history that was written by Klopp during his time at Borussia Dortmund will be etched into German football's history books forever.
The first triumph
Jürgen Klopp brought a struggling club to the top of German football in his seven year tenure. His first triumph was overcoming the powerhouse of Bayern Munich. Winning the Bundesliga title in 2011 was BVB's first league success in a decade and was the start of a great era for the club.
His finest hour
Jürgen Klopp guided Borussia Dortmund to three trophies in his seven year tenure. For many BVB fans, Klopp's greatest achievement was securing Borussia Dortmund's first ever Bundesliga and German Cup double in 2012. Finishing ahead of Bayern Munich in both competitions made it even sweeter for their fans.
Klopp never held back emotions
Jürgen Klopp was never one to hide his emotions when stood on the sidelines - often screaming, running and celebrating like a player. Klopp was a fan, if anything, and enjoyed showing it in the moments of triumph he and his Dortmund side experienced. "I'm an emotional person, and this club means a lot to me," he said earlier this year.
One step from the top
After domestic success, Klopp was just 90 minutes away from conquering Europe in 2013. In the end, losing the Champions League final at Wembley to Bayern Munich was a defining moment. Since then, the Bavarians have dominated German football while Dortmund have struggled. It was only Dortmund's second appearance in the biggest club game of them all and Klopp was the architecht.
A fan favorite
Jürgen Klopp didn't recieve plaudits from fans just for their success, it was the style and enigma that oozed from the tracksuited head coach that made fans all over the world fall in love with him. Ironically, this season Klopp became Dortmund's longest serving coach in the club's history, as well as their most successful.
A Dortmund-Bayern rivalry renewed
With success, came the return of a German football rivalry. Now aptly known as 'Der Klassiker', the games between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are the most eagerly anticipated in the Bundesliga calendar. As well as Bayern's ability to lure fans, Jürgen Klopp's resurrection of BVB brought a top-two clash back to German football.
The goodbye
Jürgen Klopp said he was stopping on April 15 at a press conference with BVB managers Hans-Joachim Watzke and Michael Zorc. "It was a very difficult decision for all of us," said Watzke, before hugging Klopp. The 47-year-old coach was in his usually cheeky mood, stating that he already had three season tickets for next season. But jokes aside: Klopp will be missed in the Bundesliga next season.