Klopp commits long-term future to Dortmund

"We are still a little bit in love with the club right now," said Jürgen Klopp after he and his coaching staff extended their Borussia Dortmund contracts until summer 2018.

Klopp, in charge at the BVB Stadion Dortmund since May 2008, has agreed a two-year extension, having only signed renewed terms in January 2012. Joining him on new deals are assistant coaches Željko Buvač and Peter Krawietz. "Since you should not split up what belongs together, we have extended the contracts of our head coach and his team," said BVB CEO Hans-Joachim Watze. "We want to become a beacon of German football – a black-and-yellow beacon."

Klopp, who had previously taken 1. FSV Mainz 05 into the German top flight, guided Dortmund to Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, as well as to the 2013 UEFA Champions League final where they lost to domestic rivals FC Bayern München. At the end of the current campaign, he will have occupied the Dortmund helm for six years, equalling Ottmar Hitzfeld's BVB record (1991–97).

"There is a long list of clubs who have been interested in him, Europe's top sides have had their feelers out for Jürgen Klopp for a while now," read a club statement.

Klopp added: "It is an honour that top clubs think we are doing good work here. In life it is important to be at the right place at the right time. For me, Dortmund is the perfect place right now. We are all still a little bit in love with the club and how things are being done here. Together we have written an exciting story, maybe the most exciting and emotional football story in recent years. I just don't feel like we've entered the final chapter yet."

Dortmund are level on points with Arsenal FC and SSC Napoli at the UEFA Champions League Group F summit. They host the Gunners on matchday four.