*All times CAT (GMT+2)

Football | Germany

Juergen Klopp © Reuters Images

Klopp aims to be Pep's 'Mourinho'



Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has said he wants to be the Bundesliga's version of Jose Mourinho to rival Bayern Munich's head coach Pep Guardiola for the 2013/14 season.

Having won 14 titles in the four years he spent as Barcelona coach, Guardiola often went head-to-head with Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho in Spanish football's 'El Clasico' rivalry.

Dortmund have won the German league for the last two seasons, leaving Bayern without any silverware since May 2010.

With Guardiola to take charge as Bayern coach on July 1, replacing current boss Jupp Heynckes, Klopp has playfully said he wants to be the Spaniard's new nemesis.

"I'll be the new Mourinho for Guardiola!" Klopp told German magazine Sport Bild.

"We want to be an unpleasant opponent for Bayern in the next few years.

"I don't believe that Pep has bad feelings toward his rivals though. I think that I will get along very well with Pep.

"If he doesn't like me over the 90 minutes or because of the result, that's not a problem."

Dortmund, third in the Bundesliga, play second-placed Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday and are currently 12 points behind leaders Bayern.

Klopp has branded any talk of Dortmund winning their third-straight league title as "ridiculous" and says he is just concerned with making sure Dortmund are contenders again next season.

"The idea of Dortmund being champions is ridiculous," said the 45-year-old.

"But it is our goal to catch up with Bayer Leverkusen and finish second.

"We'd need to get 51 points (to catch Bayern), the maximum for the remaining 17 games.

"We are lagging 12 points behind Bayern, which means Bayern would need a maximum of 39 only points. Is that realistic?"

But Klopp has said he has plans for next season.

"We want to be closer to them, our development does not end in the summer," he said.

"We will continue to improve from year to year, if Bayern should slip a gear, then we will be there.

"That's not really the case this year, but hopefully we will be back as competitor's next season."

Shop

Gerrard: My Autobiography
Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC, but as a key member of the England team.
R118.00
Red: My autobiography
No player has been more synonymous with the glory years of Manchester United Football Club over the past two decades than right-back Gary Neville.
R195.00
The Professor: Arsene Wenger
Idealistic, passionate and scientific, Arsene Wenger led the modernisation of English football
R138.00
FIFA 13
All-new Attacking Intelligence infuses players with the most sophisticated artificial intelligence ever achieved
R564.95


Comments

More expert analysis and opinion from Sport24
The opinions expressed by Sport24 experts and bloggers are theirs alone, and do not necessarily represent those of SuperSport

Sports Talk



John Dykes
Wunderbar Wembley date
I’m honoured to be part of SuperSport’s presentation team for this weekend’s Uefa Champions League...

Neil Tovey
Why Baxter’s way has worked
When Kaizer Chiefs first announced the appointment of Stuart Baxter, the decision was met with a...

Dr Errol Sweeney
Why are referees explaining their decisions?
Match officials make mistakes because they are like you and me - human. However, in modern...

Emeka Enyadike
Beckham, most popular football star
Is David Beckham the most famous football player ever? I tweeted from my @EmekaEnyadike handle and...

Segun Odegbami
Dortmund may surprise favourites
I cannot disguise my interest in Barcelona. I never hide my love for their style of play that is...

Calvin Emeka Onwuka
Not this time Arsenal
The league title is with Robin van Persie and his Manchester United teammates. Man City have...