Final a long way from 2005, says Klopp

Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp has said the club have done a remarkable job in turning themselves around, having been close to extinction just a few years ago.

In 2005, they almost went bust and Klopp knows such a near-catastrophe will not be allowed to happen again.

“The club could have ended as a fiasco,” he said. “The stadium might have been turned into a monument.

“Instead, it has risen from the ashes.

“Football is a religion in Dortmund. Bayern may have won a lot of fans and a lot of trophies because of the incredible number of good decisions they have made. But now there is another story. Along has come another club that is pretty good as well.

“We do have money to get good players. But there are other clubs who can spend more money.

“We have to take a different position.”

Such is the impact Klopp has made following back-to-back titles and a surge to the Champions League final – that saw them emerge unbeaten from four encounters with Real Madrid and prove themselves superior to Manchester City – he could become a target for Europe’s elite as well.

For now though, he is wrapped up in the Dortmund dream.

“What we have grown in the last five years has been amazing,” he said, recalling his arrival from Mainz after Dortmund’s worst league campaign in two decades.

“It could only have been done at this club.

“That is why things are so emotional for us, compared to other places where success is normal.”

The likeable Klopp is under pressure to make tonight’s final however — as rush hour traffic has seen him get a little hot under the collar this past few days.

Both Dortmund and Bayern experienced difficulty navigating rush hour London traffic to reach the stadium for the final training session.

“We had three motorcycles next to us but are they not allowed to use their blue lights?” said Klopp .

“We were supposed to be training in the morning but given this awful traffic I am not so sure.

“If someone knows a policeman please ask him if he could put the lights on.”

Although Dortmund have an impressive record against Bayern, Klopp understands why his opponents are favourites.

With their four European Cup wins and 23 Bundesliga titles, Munich are one of the game’s true giants, with a history that endures no matter what short-term problems are encountered and a wallet that allows them to buy the best.

In Dortmund’s case that means Mario Gotze, who will miss the game with a groin injury and, in all probability, star striker Robert Lewandowski.