• Bundesliga news

Klopp pens new Dortmund contract

Jurgen Klopp took over as Borussia Dortmund boss in 2008 © Getty Images

Enlarge

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has signed a new contract, committing him to the club until 2018.

Klopp, 46, and his assistants, Zeljko Buvac and Peter Krawietz, had previously been under contract until 2016.

"As you shouldn't separate things that belong together, we have once again extended the contracts of our head coach and his team," Borussia Dortmund CEO Aki Watzke said during a news conference.

The news of Klopp's signature not only surprised journalists in attendance from England ahead of the Champions League match against Arsenal next Wednesday, but also silenced the members of the German press who were merely expecting pre-match news for Dortmund's upcoming Bundesliga match at home to Stuttgart on Friday.

2018. #echteliebe pic.twitter.com/WOquj31rDE

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) October 30, 2013

"We are still all somewhat in love with the club and the way things work around here," Klopp said.

Klopp took over as boss at the Westfalenstadion in 2008 and since then has led the club to back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, as well as the Champions League final last season, which they lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich.

At the end of this season he is set to equal Ottmar Hitzfeld's record of six years in charge. The Switzerland coach oversaw Dortmund's successful spell between 1991 and 1997.

In the past, Klopp has been linked with a switch to the Premier League, but he confirmed on Wednesday that he plans on staying at Dortmund for at least another five years.

"No other club has to call me until 2018," Klopp said.

In an interview released on the club's website, Klopp added: "Of course, I was honoured that one or two top international clubs felt we're doing a good job. But to be honest, I'm not the kind of person that constantly wonders if the grass is greener on the other side. I'm not being flippant when I say it's so important in life to be at the right place at the right time. And for me, Dortmund is the perfect place at present."

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd