Jürgen Klopp

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Klopp’s first trophy came swiftly in the 2008 German Supercup, where he defeated German champions Bayern Munich. After a sixth-place finish in his debut season, he led Dortmund to a fifth-place spot the following year before securing European football. The 2010–11 season marked a turning point: after losing 2–0 to Bayer Leverkusen on opening day, the team won fourteen of their next fifteen matches to top the league for Christmas. They clinched the title with two games to spare on 30 April 2011, beating 1. FC Nürnberg 2–0 at home, becoming the youngest side ever to win the Bundesliga. The following season, Klopp’s side achieved a record-breaking domestic double, winning their second consecutive league title with 81 points—the highest total in Bundesliga history—and securing the 47 points in the second half of the season as another new record. Their 25 league wins equaled Bayern Munich's record, and they recorded an unbeaten run of 28 league matches. The climax came on 12 May 2012, when Dortmund defeated Bayern Munich 5–2 to win their first-ever domestic double in the DFB-Pokal final, a moment Klopp described as 'better than [he] could have imagined'.

In Their Own Story

The 2012–13 UEFA Champions League campaign tested Klopp’s resolve and tactical brilliance. Drawn into a 'group of death' with Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Ajax, Dortmund did not lose a single game, topping the group with impressive performances. In the semi-finals, they faced José Mourinho's Real Madrid again. After a stunning 4–1 victory at home in the first leg, a 2–0 loss away meant Dortmund narrowly progressed to the final. Tension peaked on 23 April 2013, just 36 hours before the second leg against Real Madrid, when it was announced that crucial playmaker Mario Götze would leave for rivals Bayern Munich after they triggered his €37 million release clause. Klopp admitted his annoyance at the timing but later conceded Dortmund had no chance of convincing Götze to stay. Despite this distraction, Dortmund reached their first Champions League final in years, though they ultimately finished as runners-up.

Reader's Guide

Klopp’s tenure at Borussia Dortmund lasted from 2008 until his departure in 2015, making him the club's longest-serving manager during that period. His legacy includes two consecutive Bundesliga titles (2010–11 and 2011–12), one DFB-Pokal (2012), and two DFL-Supercup victories (2013 and 2014). He guided the team to the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League final. His squad achieved historic milestones, including the highest points total in a single Bundesliga season (81) and a record 28-match unbeaten run. Klopp left in 2015 after leading Dortmund to two DFL-Supercup titles and establishing them as consistent title challengers.

Did You Know?

• Klopp's opening game as Dortmund manager was a 3–1 DFB-Pokal victory away to Rot-Weiss Essen on 9 August.
• In the 2011–12 season, Klopp's side set a record with 81 points and an unbeaten run of 28 league matches.
• On 12 May 2012, Dortmund defeated Bayern Munich 5–2 to secure their first-ever domestic double.
• During the 2012–13 Champions League semi-final, Klopp had to manage his squad just 36 hours after star player Mario Götze announced his move to rivals Bayern Munich.