Borussia Dortmund Jurgen Klopp has revealed Pep Guardiola’s role in Mario Gotze's transfer but insists his team will not be distracted against Real Madrid.
Midfielder Gotze was confirmed this morning as having agreed to a €37m transfer to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for the summer.
Dortmund’s Coach used today’s Press conference ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid to confirm that former Barcelona and future Bayern boss Guardiola was behind the move.
“I knew about it the day after the Malaga second leg. So I had 24 hours to be happy about that result,” reflected Klopp to reporters today.
“Nobody needs to worry about our focus. If anything, it is sharper than ever.
“Gotze was a player Guardiola wished to sign. He knows he owes a lot to the club, but I know he gave a lot back as well.
“He told me that Pep called him and convinced him to play tiki-taka. If it is anyone’s fault it is mine.
“I cannot shorten myself by 15cm and speak Spanish. Gotze wanted to work with an extraordinary Coach. I cannot teach the ways of fast transitions and tiki-taka.”
News of the move has deflected attention away from Dortmund’s challenge against Madrid this Wednesday, but Klopp asserted that his players will not be distracted.
“It would have been worse to find out hours before the game. Although, on a scale of one to 10, I put this as a nine in terms of the worst time to announce it.
“If they wish for us to lose our attention before the game tomorrow then they will not succeed.
“I ask the fans to put aside their disappointment and encourage us more than ever. This is a time to show that we are a special club.
“I just want to ask for support for the match against Real Madrid.
“I will not say how we will play against Madrid. They can play with possession, not only on the counter-attack. Against Manchester United [in the Last 16] they had 60 per cent possession.”