Jurgen Klopp has revealed he is rooting for former side Borussia Dortmund to pip Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title this season, insisting that after an 11-year barren spell 'the trophy simply belongs' back in the city.
Klopp enjoyed a memorable seven-year stint at the helm of Dortmund between 2008 and 2015, having led the club to back-to-back league titles in 2011 and 2012 and spearheaded their surprise charge to the Champions League final in 2013.
His final campaign in Germany ended with a whimper after Dortmund slumped down to seventh place, but Klopp has continued to keep a keen eye on their results.
Indeed, Bild claim he has regularly called CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke to congratulate him after victories, while Klopp is also familiar with boss Edin Terzic.
This weekend, Dortmund travel to face Augsburg in the first of their two remaining fixtures, while Bayern, now coached by Thomas Tuchel, take on RB Leipzig.
And while Dortmund renew their bid to claim the title after a decade-long wait, Klopp has admitted he will take in the action from his home in a Liverpool suburb.
'It's probably no secret that I want BVB to be champions,' he told Bild.
'Because what you experience then, you never forget: with the trophy around the Borsigplatz, that's still one of the really big highlights of my career. I would like to give that to the fans, club, coach and players this year.
'I believe that the boys can do it. The opportunity is so great, they will use it!
'I'll keep my fingers crossed in front of the TV in Liverpool. After eleven years, the trophy simply belongs back in Dortmund!'
With Dortmund trailing Bayern by just a single point, the title race may very well run until the final week of the season. Terzic's side will host Mainz in their last game while Bayern make the trip to Cologne, the dogfight balanced on a knife edge.
Klopp will hold fond memories of his time transforming Dortmund from mid-table stragglers to kings of Germany, although many parts of their raucous Bundesliga title celebrations in 2011 are likely to still be a blur to this day for the tactician.
Hilariously, he previously admitted to waking up on a truck after a day of drinking.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Klopp said: 'I was really wasted which may have been noticeable in some interviews.
'And I don't remember much that makes any sense. I do remember one thing.
'I'm not sure if I ever told anyone. I actually woke up on a truck in the garage. All alone. I remember that, but I have no idea about the hours before that.'
In need of a lift back into the city, Klopp then hitched a ride alongside Watzke.
'Aki held up an old Mercedes on the road,' Klopp added.
'It was a Turkish fella in a station wagon. And Aki says "Take us to the Italian". "No I won't drive you there". So Aki reaches into his pocket, finds 200 euros and says "You will." He sees the money, "OK".'