German Cup final: Klopp’s Dortmund exit is his ‘hardest moment’

2011 German champs lose 3-1 to Wolfsburg in manager’s farewell match

BERLIN: Jurgen Klopp says leaving Borussia Dortmund is the ‘hardest moment of his career’ after losing the German Cup final with the charismatic coach now unemployed and weighing up his future.

Dortmund were denied the fairytale farewell at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s early strike was cancelled out by three goals in 16 first-half minutes as Wolfsburg claimed a 3-1 victory late on Saturday.

Having led Dortmund to the 2013 Champions League final after winning the Bundesliga in 2011 and claiming the German league and cup double in 2012, this was Klopp’s final bow after seven years as Thomas Tuchel takes over next season.

Klopp has given no hint of his future, but given his impressive pedigree the 47-year-old is unlikely to be away from football for long with several English side reported to be interested.

“This is here and now my hardest moment,” said Klopp. “The pain of saying goodbye is building slowly and it really hurts. I have tried to express my thanks to each player, because it has been to me an extraordinary pleasure, a great honour to work with them and I find it hard to let go. The disappointment from the defeat is huge, but it was a fitting final.”

Dortmund were left to rue their wasted opportunities as Marco Reus fired over the bar in the first-half with his side leading 1-0 and Borussia were denied a clear late penalty.

The defeat means Dortmund must now go through the qualifying rounds for the Europa League having missed the chance to claim a direct entry had they won the final.



Dortmund’s defeat now means arch-rivals Schalke qualify directly for the Europa League because of their sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga.

Dortmund fans chanted Klopp’s name after the final whistle, but he said it was little comfort after the defeat.

“It was a great thing to hear, but was little consolation after the defeat,” said Klopp. “We’ve grown together over the years, but it wasn’t any comfort.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st,  2015.

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