Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp accepted full responsibility for his team's inability to get back on track in the Bundesliga as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. However, the German boss quickly added that he's not going anywhere.
Dortmund had enough chances to win the game, but were once again cursed by the bad luck which has accompanied them all season.
The result leaves them rooted to the foot of the Bundesliga table. That has led to suggestions Klopp may step down if his side's results did not improve.
The 47-year-old is one of the most highly-rated coaches in European football and would have no shortage of suitors should he leave his position.
Asked if he had any thoughts of quitting, Klopp was quoted as saying, "I understand that journalists have those thoughts, but there is no such trend. I see myself as responsible.
"If it is only about luck and a change of coach can bring that, you only have to call me up and I will step aside.
"But it is not so simple. As long as nobody comes and says to me, 'we have someone who does it better', then I cannot go.
"I won't stand in the way, but I cannot go before there is a better solution, the responsibility is great and I can accept it."
Dortmund's defeat was a result of some comically bad defending, particularly for the second goal when a terrible mix-up between defender Matthias Ginter and goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller let in Haris Seferovic.
"I can understand the displeasure of the fans, it is perfectly fine, but the team still tried everything," said Klopp in his post-match news conference.
"We wanted to improve our situation dramatically but we didn't succeed. We will continue nevertheless.
"We do a lot for nothing and to break through that is a big challenge."
Dortmund's Sven Bender summed up the feeling of the team in the dressing room. "The mood is at rock bottom. It is a really difficult situation. It's a bitter day," he explained.
Despite propping up the standings, Dortmund are only a point off fourth-bottom Freiburg and only 10 away from the top four.
But sporting director Michael Zorc said they were firmly in a relegation fight.
"We are in the middle of a relegation battle, everyone has to be clear about that," he said.
Next up for Dortmund is a home clash with Hoffenheim on Friday.