Jurgen Klopp: 'I don't need a vote of confidence,'

Jurgen Klopp insists he doesn’t need a vote of confidence from the Borussia Dortmund board but conceded Friday’s Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim was the equivalent of a “high noon” showdown.

Dortmund were the closest challengers to Bayern Munich last season but have had a horrible start to the new campaign and currently prop up the table after 13 rounds.

Discontent is growing on the terraces but the 47-year-old – who does not appear in any immediate danger of losing his job - has asked for supporters to train their focus on supporting the players.

He said: “I don't need a vote of confidence, I've had it a thousand times before. The team needs it now."

He admitted, however: “Friday evening is high noon. We've got to learn not to get down about our mistakes, instead stay calm and keep playing football. I know how a relegation battle works and how a team has to think in order to get out of it. You don't win games 7-0 in relegation battles. You take your chances when they come to you. We have to accept mistakes."

Klopp then attempted to put a positive spin on the current situation and is hoping Dortmund will emerge stronger from the experience.

He said: “At some point, we'll be able to say that we grew closer together during this time. Working and dealing with problems makes you better. I have rarely had to deal with as many as I have at the moment.

"It's a little tough and we've got to be ready for that. I am!"

Dortmund dropped to the foot of the table for the first time in 29 years following Sunday’s defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt – but Klopp realised problems existed long before the weekend.

"The game in Frankfurt didn't make us realise we were in a relegation battle. We have long understood what we're involved in. Shock was there, but it's a few days ago, thankfully,” he said.

"We've got to see in training who is ready to take on this challenge and then I'll pick the team.

"Too often we've gone behind in games, and that's why we've lost a lot of games. Our manner when we're losing isn't good."

source: goal.com