Why Jurgen Klopp is set for managerial return this weekend after leaving Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp, the iconic former Liverpool manager, is heading back to the familiar touchline of Signal Iduna Park for a special cameo at Borussia Dortmund. Having bowed out from the Reds with a 2-0 victory over Wolves concluding his spell in May, this Saturday's testimonial signals his first touchline return post-Anfield.
While firmly stating that he would be taking a one-year hiatus from football management, Klopp couldn't resist the call to manage once more at the hallowed ground of Dortmund on September 7. It's all for the goodbyes of ex-Dortmund stalwarts Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski who were pillars under Klopp's era at BVB.
With a stellar track record of seven years at Dortmund, culminating in 180 wins from 319 matches, two Bundesliga titles, a DFB-Pokal triumph, and a hair's breadth away from Champions League glory in 2013, Klopp's legacy at Dortmund is legendary.
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Amid last month's video promotion, fans chuckled as Piszczek dialed up Blaszczykowski with a teaser: "Kollega, we have a farewell game, do you know that? We need a coach and I have an idea, we'll call the retired coach."
Dortmund is set for a nostalgic reunion with Klopp orchestrating from the sidelines once again even if it's just for one day. Klopp, rocking a pair of black shades, waltzed into the scene with a classic quip for the departing player: "You finally have your farewell game. Oh my god. And you want to train, are you stupid?"
He then casually dismissed his plans for managing the tribute match, saying: "I couldn't care less. I do it like I used to, I start thinking about it five minutes beforehand."
The clip wrapped up on a note of anticipation, announcing "Kloppo ist dabei," meaning "Kloppo is there," confirming that he'll be there alongside other Dortmund legends like Nuri Sahin, Neven Subotic, Sebastian Kehl, and Marcel Schmelzer.
Following his departure from Liverpool, Klopp's been spotted soaking up various live events, recently seen at a Taylor Swift concert at Anfield and, just last week, at the Paris Paralympics, cheering on a badminton-playing mate at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.