The results this season have said it all really. We may not have wanted it to be so, but it was inevitable: Jurgen Klopp will be leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season. It's a sad farewell to the man who has provided us with one of the most entertaining and refreshing stories of recent memory. While people rave about the recent heroics of Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid (for good reason, before people accuse me of being too harsh), it's easy to forget that before the Argentinian and his Spanish Davids challenged the La Liga Goliaths of Real and Barcelona, Klopp was taking on the German equivalent in Bayern Munich.

What a job Klopp did too. Arriving from Mainz in 2008, his seven years at the helm of the black and yellow machine coincided with a return to prominence for the club, who had been financially mismanaged and dangerously close to relegation in the few years before his appointment. With Klopp in the hotseat, back-to-back Bundesliga titles were secured in 2011 and 2012, with the latter of those part of a double containing the DFB-Pokal cup. Perhaps the most impressive feat he and the club achieved was that glorious run to the Champions League final in 2013 against Bayern. Like Simeone and Atletico a year later against their arch-rivals Real however, Dortmund came unstuck against their domestic opponents to the dismay of neutrals everywhere. The following two seasons have not been as impressive, with just two DFL-Supercups (a contest between the Pokal cup winners and the Bundesliga winners) to their name, albeit won against Bayern. This season they have flirted worryingly with relegation, and the team plus Klopp have looked powerless to stop the rot of monotony setting in.

Just as important as the silverware was the way in which it was captured. Dortmund played brutally thrilling football at times, none better than in the 2013 Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, when the Spanish giants were eviscerated 4-1 in the Westfalenstadion by strong, technical, proactive play and a four goal haul from Robert Lewandowski. During their pomp, Klopp's team played like every team wanted to play, maybe should play: powerfully, rapidly and without fear.

Lacking the financial muscle of Bayern has hurt Dortmund, and probably hastened Klopp's departure. Every new star that was unearthed by Der BVB was coveted by Munich, and in the case of Reus and Lewandowski, eventually acquired. A Dortmund with Klopp at the helm and all of their stars kept to mature together would have been fascinating to see; as it happens, we will never know how much they could have achieved now.

What next for Klopp then?

He has been sounded out by many during his time at Dortmund, but always remained loyal to the club from the Rhine. Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal were all once mooted, but the former two seem settled with Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, while Arsene Wenger has once again steadied the ship in North London. Manchester City remain the popular option at 6/4 with Coral, should Abu Dhabi lose patience with Manuel Pellegrini, and the job may interest Klopp, who would have the kind of money available to him that was not at Dortmund. The state of City's youth academy may cause him to rethink however, given how indebted he was to the Dortmund production line.

Wherever he ends up it should be expected that he will win trophies. Not just that, but with a swagger and eye-catching football at that. Thanks for the memories, Jurgen. We'll always have that game against Real Madrid.

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