The retired coach, who had spells in charge of Germany’s two biggest clubs during his career, does not think BVB will remain stuck in a relegation fight for long
Borussia Dortmund remain the biggest rivals to Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga crown, according to former coach of both clubs Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have acquired just 15 points from 16 games and are placed third-from-bottom in Germany’s top flight.
A long injury list and a continued run of poor form have been pointed to as the reasons behind their current plight, but mysteriously the club have fared much better in the Champions League and qualified for the last-16.
Hitzfeld, who coached Dortmund for six years in the 1990s before spending two stints in charge at Bayern, is convinced that BVB’s struggles are only temporary and backed them to bounce back.
“Klopp’s still young, he will get through this current low,” the retired coach told Kolner Express.
“They’ll recover by staying calm and taking responsibility. The most important thing is the players are true to Klopp. Starring for them is a ticket to the international teams. Dortmund remain the most threatening opponent to Bayern in coming years.”
Dortmund face bottom-of-the-Bundesliga Werder Bremen on Saturday in their final game of 2014, with domestic action resuming after the winter break on January 31.