As a player, Klopp was a one-club man, putting in an 11-year spell at Mainz 05. He started off as a striker before moving back into defence, netting 52 league goals for the club. After finishing his playing career in 2001 he was then given the manager's role at Die Nullfunfer and spent seven years in charge of the clubs. During his time he led the club into the Bundesliga for the first time and then claimed a UEFA Cup spot in 2005. Mainz were then relegated two years later and after Klopp could not lead them back into the top flight in 2007-08, he quit the club after 18 years at the club.