On a typically cold Decembers afternoon in Dortmund, the lights when out on Bert van Marwijk rein as Bourussia Dortmund's manager. After seeing his side slip to pathetic 1-2 loss to in-form Bayern Leverkusen, the board seemingly had heard enough excuses and Bert was shown the exit after two and a half years at the club.

Apart from the final result in Dortmund on Sunday night, me and my dad had a fantastic time watching BVB take on Bayern Leverkusen. The biggest thanks has to be reserved for Ulrich Durrwang, who not for the first time, made this yet another trip to remember.
He booked us into a great hotel, situated less than a mile away from the magnificent Signal Iduna Stadium, and if that was not enough the Bayern Leverkusen team were also staying at the same hotel.
Once we'd arrived to the hotel early in the afternoon, had a rest and generally recovered from a non-stop 24 hours journey to the lively German city we were picked up by Ulrich, along with Anja and Thomas, and promptly whisked away to the V.I.P. section of the Signal Induna Stadium (or Westfallenstadionto most BVB fans).
Once Inside the V.I.P. lounge your pre-game build up is a mix of culinary delights (a choice of Salmon, Currywurst, Ravioli and Chocolate cake are all made available) and enjoyable socializing with various dedicated BVB fans. Just like with Premiership fan's, they all have there own opinions and even before the game had started most of the talk centered around weather or not Bert would last till the end of week. As it turned out, most people where correct with there pre-game predictions concerning the Dutchman's future.

One the game has started we were seated in the best 'viewing' area in the stadium. Although I must admit at times I look to my right and wish I were standing with 25,000 plus cheering BVB fans in 'the Südtribüne', but the view from the V.I.P. area is unbeatable.
As the game kicked off Dortmund made a relatively positive start, with both Pienaar and Kringe firing wide. But this was as good as it would get for the home fans as Bayern Leverkusen slowly took control of the game, and in the 24 minute took the lead as the 'ever diving' Andrei Voronin took advantage of some appalling defensive errors to tuck home a weak Bernd Schneider cross. Dortmund looked pathetic in the first half, playing a narrow 4-1-2-1-2 formation they side had no width, no passing game and seemingly no style of play, this is something a manager must instill in a team and is something Dortmund lacked. BVB's talented but inconsistent midfielder Nuri Sahin failed to shine once again, preferring to pass the ball as soon as he received it rather than ask questions of the Bayern Leverkusen defense with his obvious speed and skill on the ball. Once the referee blew for half time the team were subjected to a deserved barrage of boo's from the home fans as they wondered aimlessly off the pitch.
As the second half got under way the Dortmund fans situated in the Südtribüne decided they were going to have a party regardless of how there team did or did not perform. There encouragement was tested on the 74 minute when German Under 21 striker Stefan Kiessling volleyed home after beating Christian Worns inside-out, boo's reverberated around the Signal Iduna Stadium and the team look clueless. Bert cast a lonely figure on the opposite touchline, his pathetic attempts to encourage his team were as helpful as his formation. It wasn't until the 85th minute when defender Martin Amedick climbed above Brazilian defender Juan to head home a late life-line for the home side, it seemed rather poignant that the only cross of the game should result in there first goals. In the 87th minute it seemed as though Dortmund's young defender would complete a memorable late fight-back, after he connected with the teams second cross of the game only to see his week header beat Hans-Jörg Butt but not the post.
As the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game, boo's echoed around the stadium and Bert's stint at this glorious club came to an abrupt end.
Beside the result, the game was entertaining for all the wrong reason. My dad and I had a fantastic time with Ulrich and his friends, and it is yet another memorable BVB game I have witnessed. But the special thanks has to go out to Ulirch who makes trips so enjoyable.