VIDEO: Jurgen Klopp taught me everything - Mario Gotze's pro evolution

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VIDEO: Jurgen Klopp taught me everything - Mario Gotze's pro evolution image

Many young footballers can grow weary and disillusioned with academy football, but Mario Gotze is grateful for the tutelage he received while he was progressing through the youth ranks at Borussia Dortmund.

BVB have garnered a strong reputation for youth development in recent years, with Gotze, who made is debut for Dortmund aged 17, just one of a host of supremely gifted starlets to benefit from the coaching on offer at Hohenbuschei.

“For me, playing through all the youth teams at Borussia Dortmund was a really good experience because I was able to play against talented opponents at a relatively early age,” Gotze said.

“I started learning whilst I was young and at a great playing level. It was a very positive time for me.”

Key to Gotze’s development was Jurgen Klopp. The affable Liverpool boss enjoyed great success during his time at the Westfalenstadion and afforded Gotze a role in which he could flourish as Dortmund strode to league and cup glory.

The immense faith shown by Klopp is not lost on Gotze: “I’m still in touch with Jurgen. Of course, he taught me everything about professional football.

“At that time, I was just 17 and coming up from the youth team. He introduced me to everything. He let me play.”

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