Jürgen Klopp was back in the Signal Iduna Park dugout on Saturday for a testimonial game for Borussia Dortmund legends Łukasz Piszczek and Jakub Błaszczykowski, which ended in a 5-4 victory for the latter's team.
Dubbed as an 'Abschiedszczspiel', a play on the German word for farewell and the players' surnames, 81,365 fans flocked to Dortmund's stadium to witness an entertaining encounter featuring a host of famous names past and present. In addition to the two former Poland internationals, who helped shape some of the most successful years in Dortmund’s history between 2010 and 2015, were players and coaches who had accompanied them along the way, including Klopp, current BVB coach Nuri Şahin, Julian Brandt, Mats Hummels and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, among many others.
Piszczek and Błaszczykowski played a combined total of 517 games in Black and Yellow, and helped BVB win the Bundesliga title in 2011 and 2012, as well as the DFB Cup.Prior to kick-off, Hummels was given a warm farewell after leaving the club when his contract expired at the end of June. Having recently signed for Serie A side AS Roma after making 508 competitive appearances for Dortmund, the centre-back flew in especially for the game and was given a standing ovation by the crowd. The match itself was an end-to-end spectacle, including an eye-catching dink from Şahin, as well as former striker Lucas Barrios twice finding the net. The fans took to their feet in the 89th minute when Piszczek and Błaszczykowski were substituted off to thunderous applause.
Klopp's Return to Dortmund
Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp has been pictured donning the infamous black and yellow colours of his former team Borussia Dortmund for the first time since leaving the German outfit in 2015. The German coach is set to return to the touchline for the first time since his departure from the Reds earlier this summer. The 57-year-old will be managing one of the teams in a farewell match which has been arranged for two of his former players, Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski.
Klopp will be in charge of Blaszczykowski's team for the testimonial game.
Ahead of the game this weekend, Klopp was spotted taking part in a training session involving the Dortmund players, bringing along his assistant Peter Krawietz for the meeting. Klopp appeared in high spirits throughout the session and was pictured enjoying a conversation with former midfielder Nuri Sahin, who is now head coach of the German giants.
Why Klopp is Back in Charge
Klopp who hinted at retiring from management all together following his nine year reign in Merseyside was lured into the temporary job by his two former players. Both Piszczek and Blaszczykowski played a major role in Klopp's success at the German club and were a part of Klopp's Bundesliga winning teams in 2011 and 2012. They also played a significant role in helping Klopp's men reach the 2013 Champions League final, where they fell short to rivals Bayern Munich.
When it came to their testimonial, they only had one manager in mind to take charge of the game and be present in the dugout. So they reached out to Klopp and asked him if he would be involved in the exciting game.
Dortmund shared a video on social media to confirm Klopp's participation as a coach for the match. In a light hearted video, Piszczek told Blaszczykowski that 'we need a coach and I have an idea, we'll call the retired coach.' Klopp then entered the frame in sunglasses, saying: 'you finally have your farewell game. Oh my god. And you want to train before the game. Are you stupid?'
Speaking about his involvement in the game Klopp and which team he should manage Klopp said that ' I couldn't care less [which team I manage]. I don't worry about it at all. I do it like I used to, I start thinking about it five minutes beforehand. Is the game sold out? I'd buy a ticket if I wasn't coming anyway!'
A Nostalgic Return
Jurgen Klopp made an unexpected return to management on Saturday when he took charge of Borussia Dortmund for a testimonial game. The game was to honour former Dortmund players Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski, both of whom Klopp managed during his time at the club between 2008 and 2015. Mats Hummels, whose second spell at Dortmund came to an end this summer, was also given the opportunity to bid farewell to the club although he did not feature in the game.
Piszczek and Blaszczykowski were a part of Klopp's Bundesliga-winning teams in 2011 and 2012 and also helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final in 2013.
In a social media post to tease the game on Friday, Dortmund said: “Tomorrow’s tactics; good vibes and the power of friendship. Any questions?” alongside a picture of Klopp on the training ground.
Since leaving Liverpool in the summer Klopp has been linked with taking charge of England and the United States but said he is not in a rush to return to work and may not even manage again.
“As of today, that’s it for me as a coach,” Klopp said at the International Coaches’ Congress in Wurzburg, Germany. “I didn’t quit on a whim, but it was a general decision. I’ve also coached the best clubs in the world.
“Maybe we can talk about it again in a few months. I still want to work in football and help people with my experience and contacts. Let’s see what else there is for me.”
Sources told ESPN in July that Klopp was determined to have at least 12 months away from the game after leaving Liverpool. Sources added that he may also choose not to return to football in a coaching capacity.
A Look Back at Klopp's Dortmund Career
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was pictured back in Borussia Dortmund colours as he prepares to return to the dugout for the first time since his Anfield exit. The German, who announced his departure from the Reds in January and concluded his tenure with a 2-0 win over Wolves in May, is at the Signal Iduna Park for a special testimonial match for Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski.
Both Piszczek and Blaszcsykowski were integral members of the squad when Klopp was in charge at Dortmund. The 57-year-old spent seven successful years at Dortmund between 2008 and 2015, winning 180 of his 319 matches in charge. During that time, Klopp guided Dortmund to the Bundesliga title twice, the DFB-Pokal and almost guided them to the Champions League, only to lose the 2012/13 final to Bayern Munich.
Since leaving Liverpool, Klopp has enjoyed some well-earned time off. He was spotted at a Taylor Swift concert at Anfield earlier this summer before appearing at the Paralympics last week. Klopp was in Paris to watch a friend playing badminton at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.
Now, Klopp has made his way to Dortmund and he was spotted back on the training field on Friday ahead of managing Blaszcsykowski's side. Former Leicester centre-back Marcin Wasilewski, Roma defender Mats Hummels, ex-Hull winger Kamil Grosicki and Neven Subotic are among those to be led out by Klopp, with the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Nuri Sahin on Piszczek's team.
A Light-Hearted Training Session
During his training session, Klopp looked as animated as ever. As he often did at Liverpool, he joined in with firing some jokes and lighthearted digs at some of his players. A video - captured by Dortmund's social media team - appeared to show Klopp getting involved with his players.
After a long-range shot was missed, Klopp showed his sarcastic side. He said: “Yes, nice. Desperation shot. We’ve only been playing for two minutes and he shoots from 40 metres already. I don’t know how long we want to watch this. The next goal will decide, if one ever falls.”
That wasn’t the only piece of sarcasm that Klopp decided to show throughout that video clip. Towards the end, he was heard saying: “Can someone get me a heart rate monitor. I would be really interested in Mo Zidan’s pulse.”
Klopp's Legacy in Dortmund and Beyond
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will return to the dugout with former club Borussia Dortmund, taking charge of a testimonial match arranged for two of his former players.
The German has since suggested that he’s finished with management altogether, distancing himself from succeeding Gareth Southgate as England’s manager in the process.
He will, however, be in back in charge of Borussia Dortmund for one-night only, overseeing a team of former players that will honour the careers of Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski. Both played prominent roles when Klopp led Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga title successes in 2010/2011 and 2011/12, and were driving forces behind the club’s run to the 2013 Champions League final – a game Dortmund lost to bitter rivals Bayern thanks to Arjen Robben’s dramatic 89th minute winner.
Pictures on Dortmund’s social media channels showed Klopp donning the club’s famous black and yellow, with a video skit involving Piszczek and Blaszczykowski showing how they ‘made the decision’ to bring back their former manager for the game.
Dortmund’s success under Klopp enticed Liverpool to hire him in October 2015, after the club sacked Brendan Rodgers, and the Reds finished as runners-up in the Europa League just seven months later. By 2020, Liverpool had won the Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup under Klopp - further domestic cup success followed in the later years of Klopp’s spell on Merseyside.
A Symbolic Reunion
Jurgen Klopp is set to make a poignant return to Borussia Dortmund, his former club, for a one-off testimonial match honoring ex-Dortmund stars Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski. Klopp, who parted ways with Liverpool in the summer, has been on a sabbatical since ending his successful tenure at Anfield. His involvement in this testimonial marks a nostalgic return to where his journey in European football truly began to flourish.
The testimonial will feature a host of former Dortmund stars, including current manager Nuri Sahin, Neven Subotic, Sebastian Kehl, and Marcel Schmelzer. This special event is not just a celebration of Piszczek and Blaszczykowski's careers but also a reunion of the key figures from Klopp's era at the club. Klopp's deep connection with Dortmund and its supporters makes this occasion particularly special.
Klopp was humorously roped into the event when Piszczek reached out to him, jokingly suggesting they needed a coach for the farewell game. Klopp’s response, marked by his characteristic wit and humility, was to downplay his involvement, stating he would “start thinking about it five minutes beforehand.”
Klopp's return to Dortmund shows his enduring bond with the club and its fans. The former Dortmund manager, who guided the team to two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final, remains a beloved figure in the club's history. This testimonial will serve as a tribute to two great players but also as a reminder of Klopp's significant impact on Borussia Dortmund's recent history.
