Not too long ago in 2008, Borussia Dortmund finished their league campaign in 13th, 9 points above the relegation zone in what was their worst league campaign in 20 years – after the appointment of Jürgen Klopp, fast forward to 2012 and they’re now the current German champions having won their first league title in 2011 after a 9 year drought. And while their Champions League campaign didn’t go according to plan, Dortmund have nonetheless been impressive in Germany this season, looking to retain their league crown, currently 3 points ahead of 2nd placed, Bayern Munich at the time of writing as well as facing Bayern Munich in the DFB-Pokal final in May. Boasting some of the most sought-after talent in the world, the future is definitely bright for Die Schwarzgelben as they are bound to dominate world football in the coming years after their rapid rise to glory which has won over many a fan.

Jürgen Klopp.
“Jürgen Klopp was my best transfer. He and BVB looked for and found one another.” – Dortmund sporting director, MichaelZorc.

So what was the Klopp effect which helped Dortmund so much?

Before Klopp’s arrival in 2008, Dortmund used to play a very rigid and narrow game, but under the new manager, they’ve been more expansive, closing down opposition with pace, and overall, played a free-flowing attacking game – the German version of Arsenal if you will. This change of philosophy was crucial as it helped Klopp make an instant impact with Dortmund, taking Dortmund from a 13th place finish to a 6th place finish in his first season, just 10 points off the top.
“It was clear to us pretty quickly that Klopp and BVB just fit together. But it was not to be expected that the coach would get a hold of the team so quickly and fundamentally change the game style of Borussia within one year.” – Dortmund CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke.

In what was an initial two year contract until 2010, Klopp’s impact impressed the Dortmund hierarchy so much that they extended his contract till 2012, just 9 months into his first season.

Wonderkid: Mario Götze

In his second season, dependence on youth and stellar signings were aspects which Klopp implemented and succeeded with.

Klopp invested in young stars leading to the arrivals of Kevin Grosskreutz from Rot Weiss Ahlen, Sven Bender from 1860 Munich, Lucas Barrios from Colo Colo and Mats Hummels from Bayern Munich who all proved to be great purchases and are key players today.

The 2009-2010 season was also the one in which Klopp promoted Dortmund’s young jewel, Mario Götze, 17 at the time to the first team. The talented youngster captained the German U17 national team to a European championship in 2009 and won the Fritz Walter Medal in 2008 and 2009. He was simply too good not to play and has been a key figure in Dortmund’s modern rise to glory.

Lastly, Nuri Sahin, the 21 year old, Turkish international played a vital role for Dortmund with 4 goals and 8 assists as they improved from a 6th place finish to a 5th place finish in Klopp’s second season in charge.

League winners: Dortmund

But it was the 2010/2011 season in which Klopp really became successful with Dortmund. With more added strength to the Dortmund team in the form of arrivals, Shinji Kagawa and Robert Lewandowski, Dortmund went the extra mile and won the league title which had eluded them since 2002, with Bayer Leverkusen finishing in 2nd, 7 points adrift.

Sahin had his best season ever in a Dortmund shirt, scoring 7 goals and assisting 8 times, leading to him being named the best Bundesliga player in 2011 while Götze scored 6 times and assisted 15 times, the best return for any 18 year old in the Bundesliga. Kagawa who was signed for approximately £294,000 had a brilliant debut season directly contributing to 12 goals in 28 games, being named in the Bundesliga best XI for that season in the process.

Klopp had transformed Dortmund to a German powerhouse in only 3 seasons, earning the respect and loyalty of his players, as well as the Dortmund hierarchy – he also had an incredible grasp of the Dortmund set up within such short time that players wanted to play for him. While Nuri Sahin left the following season for Madrid, he wasn’t exactly a loss as youngster, Sven Bender was an adequate replacement having played 39 games the previous season. However, other players instilled their belief in Klopp’s work as they had trust in him and his style of play.

Mats Hummels, Dortmund’s best defender, has a clause in his contract that could take him back to Bayern Munich in 2012, however, he squashed any chance of a return.
“I am a Borusse through and through and see Bayern as an opponent. I know what I have to thank Dortmund for and am not thinking about a transfer. I do not want to return to Bayern.” – Mats Hummels.

Sven Bender had his contract extended till 2016 as well.
“We have a clear picture of Bender. He is one of the building blocks for a successful future for Dortmund.” – Dortmund sporting director, Michael Zorc.

Götze and Kagawa celebrating a goal.

Veteran keeper, Roman Weidenfeller and Mario Götze had their contracts extended to 2014 as well.

Coming into the 2011/2012 season, with rumours of a move to Arsenal and Barcelona, Götze snubbed both of them by signing a new contract with Borussia Dortmund till 2016 while a new contract for Kagawa seems imminent as well.

Dortmund and their fans have one man to thank for all this and it’s Jürgen Klopp who in November 2011, signed a new contract keeping him manager of Dortmund until 2014.
“Something is developing here. I would like to continue to develop what I began. And I am certain that it will not be torn apart.” - Jürgen Klopp.

With the re-signing of all these key players as well as the confirmation that Marco Reus, another German star will be joining their ranks next season, Dortmund have proven that they are not a selling club, their stars are immensely loyal to the club due to their faith in Klopp and that they will be a force to reckon with in the coming years.