41-year-old German Thomas Tuchel has been named successor to Jurgen Klopp when the current Borussia Dortmund manager steps down this summer.
The club announced Sunday that Tuchel signed a three-year contract with Dortmund, and that he will officially take over in the summer. Tuchel has followed Klopp once before, finding himself promoted to manager at FC Mainz in 2010 from the U-21 side for his first managerial job a year after Klopp left to become manager at Westfalenstadion.
Tuchel led Mainz to a Europa league bid and the club’s highest-ever Bundesliga finish of 5th place in his first year in charge, and followed that up with a 7th place finish last season as well as another Europa League spot. He stepped down from his position at Mainz in May of last year, but was not released from his contract by the club, forcing him to remain out of work until his contract runs out this summer.
He was a hot commodity while at Mainz, reportedly being approached by both Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen for open positions during his time there. After announcing Tuchel as the manager this morning, Dortmund says they will not make any further comment on the matter until the end of the season, likely restricted by Tuchel’s not-yet-expired contract with Mainz.
Klopp has made it clear he will be looking for a job immediately when the summer comes, and he will be one of the most sought after coaches in Europe.