Klopp to leave Dortmund - the international reaction
Cologne - The confirmation on Wednesday (15 April) afternoon that Jürgen Klopp will leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season has been the dominant topic of conversation not just in German football but across the continent and even further afield.
Germany
bundesliga.com rounds up how the world's media have reported the summertime departure of a modern Bundesliga legend...
Ruhr Nachrichten: After seven years, the mutual success story of Jürgen Klopp and Borussia Dortmund will come to an end in the summer. "It has affected both myself and Jürgen deeply," said a visibly emotional CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
kicker: Every now and then during his seven years as BVB coach, Jürgen Klopp was sent to the stands at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park. From next season, he'll be choosing his own seat. Despite his contract running until 2018, Klopp has become convinced by the reality that a change is needed - less so for himself, much more for Borussia Dortmund.
Der Spiegel: Head coach Jürgen Klopp considers his departure from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season to be "the correct decision, 100 per cent". He explained on Wednesday afternoon that he no longer had the feeling he was the perfect coach for the club. "We're professionals and this decision had to be made."
England
The Guardian: Jürgen Klopp has said that he asked to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season as he “no longer feels he is the perfect coach for the club”. The 47-year-old confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that he had asked for his contract to be terminated but insisted that he is not tired and that he is not planning on having a sabbatical.
BBC Sport: Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has said he will leave the Bundesliga club at the end of the season. The 47-year-old German asked to be released from his contract, which had been due to run until 2018. "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 has coached Dortmund since 2008, taking them to two league titles and the Champions League final in 2012/13, but this term they are currently 10th.
Italy
La Gazzetta dello Sport: An unexpected earthquake. The confirmation arrived around lunchtime at a press conference. While there may not yet be anything certain about Klopp's future, one of the most likely hypotheses is a future in the Premier League. Klopp, 47, joined Borussia from Mainz in 2008 and led them to Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, and a UEFA Champions League final in 2013. Klopp is reportedly keen to take a bit of a break at the end of the current season.
France
L'Equipe: Jürgen Klopp is not going to be the coach of Dortmund next season. The news was confirmed by the club on Wednesday lunchtime. The coach's contract, which was due to run until 2018, will be cancelled. The early hypothesis was that he would take a sabbatical year, although at a press conference, Klopp assured that he is "not tired," adding: "I don't necessarily need to take a year off." So why has he decided to terminate his contract until 2018? "I just felt I was no longer the right coach for this club."
Spain
Marca: Jürgen Klopp, one of the most successful coaches in recent years in German football, will be leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of this season following poor results for his side this season. The coach has asked for his contract to be terminated ahead of when it was due to expire, in 2018. His club started the season as the biggest rivals to Bayern München, but a surprisingly poor start saw them struggle at the beginning of the campaign. Dortmund are currently tenth, but they no longer have any chance of qualifying for the next UEFA Champions League and it is highly unlikely that they will reach the Europa League.
USA
CNN: When Jürgen Klopp was appointed coach of Borussia Dortmund, he said he wanted to "make memories". When he leaves the Bundesliga club at the end of the season it will be with memories in abundance having led Dortmund through one of the most successful periods in its history.
EPSN: Jürgen Klopp will step down as coach of Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season but does not plan to take a break, the 47-year-old said at a news conference. Klopp confirmed that he will leave the club with which he won back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, and reached the Champions League final in 2013.
