In an exclusive interview with Sky Sport, Hans-Joachim Watzke, the managing director of Borussia Dortmund (BVB), discussed the ambitions of the national team to return to the top in world football and shared his thoughts on coach Niko Kovac as a fortunate find for the club. He also expressed admiration for Bayern Munich’s recent performances.
Addressing the German Football Association (DFB) and its aspirations, Watzke stated, “You have to be cautious. You don’t return to the top in football by merely announcing it; you truly have to work for it. However, we will at least see ourselves getting closer.”
Watzke praised BVB’s coach Niko Kovac, saying, “Niko has been a stroke of luck for us. He is doing exceptionally well, remaining calm, and we share an outstanding relationship. However, he has to prove himself anew every third day, especially in Saturday’s match against Hamburg.”
Reflecting on Bayern Munich’s impressive performance in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, Watzke commented, “It was a mix of admiration and excitement. The first half was among the best I’ve seen in years. Of course, you can be thrown off course by a single action. It got a little tight at the end. Winning in Paris is a feat we achieved two years ago with BVB as well, but to win so convincingly and send a statement in the first half — that was exceptional sportsmanship from Bayern. We should celebrate having a club like Bayern representing the Bundesliga internationally. Nationally, it would be nice to have a bit more suspense, but facing these Bayern, as they present themselves now, is quite challenging.”
On Borussia Dortmund’s draw in the DFB-Pokal, Watzke humorously remarked, “We’ve had nothing but disaster draws for years, so I didn’t expect anything different. Fortunately, this time it’s a home game. I believe we haven’t played at home in the DFB-Pokal for three years, so at least we achieved that. We will approach it head-on, and it will definitely be a great match.”
The comments made by Watzke emphasize both the strengths and challenges faced by Borussia Dortmund and German football as a whole, highlighting a sense of optimism while acknowledging the tough competition posed by Bayern Munich. This perspective fosters hope for a more thrilling national football landscape and the potential for growth at BVB.