Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze has revealed that he is still in touch with former manager Jurgen Klopp as speculation grows that he could leave the German club a second time.
Gotze was a key player in the Dortmund team that won two straight Bundesliga titles under Klopp from 2010 to 2012, before moving to Bayern Munich after the 2013 season.
When he was leaving the Bavarian giants in 2016, he was linked with a move to Liverpool to be reunited with his old manager, before deciding to return to his former club instead.
The 26-year-old confirmed that he spoke to Klopp before making that move, and he could end up joining the Reds after all, with his current contract running out at the end of next summer.
“He [Klopp] knew that I wanted to leave Bayern,” Gotze told Bild. “Of course, we talked. He knows me very well and that I am always looking for new challenges.
“I often speak to Klopp. He brought me to the first team when I was 17 and he made it all possible. We never stopped talking.”
Gotze also weighed in on the Premier League title race, which pits Klopp’s Liverpool against another of the Germany international’s former managers as they look to take the crown of Pep Guardiola’s Man City side.
Guardiola was Gotze’s manager at Bayern for three seasons before leaving Germany for England.
“They are difficult to compare because they pursue different philosophies,” Gotze said. “The fact is that both are extremely successful.
“I am grateful to have worked with two such outstanding coaches. I watch the games of both teams as often as possible, the title fight in the Premier League is extremely exciting.”
