Football
ESPN staff 9y

Jurgen Klopp: Don't write Borussia Dortmund off

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has said he still believes in his team after their latest defeat but confirmed he would be holding talks with the club's hierarchy.

Dortmund had gone to rock-bottom Werder Bremen seeking a boost ahead of the winter break, but a 2-1 defeat ensured they will spend the coming weeks in the relegation zone.

It was their 10th defeat of the campaign -- more than Dortmund have ever suffered before under Klopp throughout an entire campaign.

Klopp had given mixed signals during the week as to whether he expected to remain at the club he has led to two Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League final, but he suggested that he wanted to remain at the helm after Saturday's loss.

"In the other dressing room they're already having a non-relegation party, but don't write us off," he told Sky. "We'll have to take all the criticism that comes our way.

"We are very unhappy with the situation, but there are explanations."

Klopp acknowledged that BVB had "played the most miserable Vorrunde [first half of the season] of our lives" but insisted that "in the Ruckrunde [second half of the season] it will be much more difficult to beat us."

He said there was a "total lack of defensive stability" but suggested wholesale change was necessary.

"To what extent we'll change things is something we'll discuss," he said. "Making changes for the sake of it makes no sense."

Despite his defiance, Klopp is likely to face pressure from the German media, and he said there would have to be "discussions" with CEO Aki Watzke and sporting director Michael Zorc.

For now, though, he is looking forward to the three weeks' preparation with his team ahead of their return to action at Bayer Leverkusen on Jan. 31, and he added: "The best news today is that the footballing year 2014 is over."

The reporter told Klopp at the end of the interview that he hoped he would have a better 2015, to which the coach replied: "Can't get much worse, can it?"

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