Jurgen Klopp evacuated from Borussia Dortmund press conference as World War II bomb found nearby

Strange developments in Germany...

Samuel Stevens
Thursday 26 February 2015 13:56 GMT
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Jurgen Klopp (left) and his Dortmund players look on
Jurgen Klopp (left) and his Dortmund players look on (GETTY IMAGES)

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Under-pressure Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp faced a new problem while preparing his relegation-threatened side for the Ruhr derby with Schalke this weekend.

With his side finally beginning to pull away from the Bundesliga drop zone, Deutsche Welle reports that an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered near the club’s 80,720-capacity Signal Iduna Park home.

Everyone within a 250-metre radius was evacuated immediately before an operation to defuse it begins this afternoon.

Following a dismal run of just one victory in ten matches, things are beginning to look up for Dortmund's beleaguered players after three straight wins.

Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp (GETTY IMAGES)

"It is not yet known how long the stadium area will remain off limits," Dortmund said in a brief statement.

Klopp has faced heightened scrutiny in recent weeks as fans and pundits alike began to contemplate the unthinkable, that relegation to the second tier of German football could happen.

The Bundesliga side reached the Champions League final in 2013, eventually losing out to bitter rivals Bayern Munich, but have suffered a remarkable slump in fortunes of late.

Despite winning their group in this year's tournament, Dortmund have an uphill battle on their hands if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the European Cup after losing 2-1 away at Italian champions Juventus this week.

Nevertheless, Klopp seems to be easing the pressure on himself and his players - despite battling an injury crisis and a spectacular loss of form this season.

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