Jurgen’s happy return: Klopp pictured back at Dortmund as ex-Liverpool boss prepares to take charge of testimonial match
Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp has been photographed in the infamous black and yellow colours of his former club Borussia Dortmund for the first time since leaving the German club in 2015.
The German coach will be on the sidelines for the first time since leaving the Reds earlier this summer.
The 57-year-old coach will coach one of the teams in a farewell match organised for two of his former players, Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski.
Klopp will coach Blaszczykowski’s side during the testimonial match.
Ahead of this weekend’s match, Klopp was spotted in a training session with the Dortmund players, bringing along his assistant Peter Krawietz.
Jurgen Klopp has been photographed leading a Borussia Dortmund training session
The former Liverpool manager will return to the sidelines for a testimonial match
The 57-year-old will coach one of the teams in a farewell match organised for two of his former players, Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski
Klopp appeared in high spirits throughout the session and was photographed chatting to former midfielder Nuri Sahin, who is now head coach of the German giants.
Klopp, who had already indicated he wanted to retire from football altogether after nine years on Merseyside, was lured into the temporary job by his two former players.
Both Piszczek and Blaszczykowski played key roles in Klopp’s success at the German club and were part of Klopp’s Bundesliga-winning teams in 2011 and 2012.
They also played a key role in helping Klopp’s men reach the Champions League final in 2013, where they fell short to rivals Bayern Munich.
When they gave their evidence, they had only one manager in mind who would take charge of the match and sit in the dugout.
Klopp will coach Blaszczykowski’s team during the testimonial match on Saturday
The 57-year-old is in charge of a team for the first time since leaving Liverpool earlier this summer
So they contacted Klopp and asked him if he wanted to take part in the exciting match.
Dortmund shared a video on social media to confirm Klopp’s participation as coach in the match.
In a light-hearted video, Piszczek told Blaszczykowski: “We need a coach and I have an idea, we’ll call the retired coach.”
Klopp then entered the frame wearing sunglasses and said: ‘You’ve finally got your farewell game. Oh my god. And you want to train for the game. Are you stupid?’
Speaking about his involvement in the game and which team he should manage, Klopp said that ‘I don’t care [which team I manage].
‘I don’t worry about it at all. I do it like I used to do, I start thinking about it five minutes beforehand.
‘Is the game sold out? I would still buy a ticket if I wasn’t coming!’