After the rank disappointment of a 1-0 loss to FC Bayern Munich at home, Borussia Dortmund are essentially out of the title race. BVB have spent heavily in the Lucien Favre era, building a team that could compete until the latter stages of the season.

For the second year in a row, though, poor big-game performances at the tail end of the season means that the Schwarzgelben are waiting on FCB to mess up three times out of six. Naturally, this leaves coach Lucien Favre under immense pressure.

Having a history as being quite tempestuous means that his post-game comments about a statement in a few weeks regarding his future seemed to spell out a likely exit. However, speaking to WAZ afterward, he was much more defiant.

He added: “I don’t think about giving up at all. Yesterday we were all disappointed, but what I said in the post-match interview seems to have been misunderstood in many ways. The only thing I wanted to say in response to the questions was that now is not the time to evaluate the season. Why should it be?”

Indeed, BVB supremo Hans-Joachim Watzke seemed to agree, defending his coach. In response to his original comments, Watzke said: “The coach just wanted to say that, as always, we will make an analysis at the end of the season. He didn’t want to make a conclusion in front of the Sky microphone after the 28th matchday. That’s all.

“We have have done very well in the second half of the season, having won 27 out of 30 possible points before the Bayern game and received praise from all sides. I have found Lucien Favre to be very focused over the past few weeks. He didn’t give the impression of being under pressure at all. There is currently no reason at all to have a discussion about the coach.”

For many BVB fans, an exit might seem like a positive after two heartbreakingly close end to the season. Those at the top of the club, though, appear to disagree with the media portrayal of Favre and appear ready to stick with him into next season.