BVB Managing Director
Watzke: Bundesliga “still has a good reputation”
Praises the “still good reputation” of the Bundesliga: Hans-Joachim Watzke, Managing Director of Borussia Dortmund. Photo: Bernd Thissen/dpa
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Borussia Dortmund’s managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke sees the international reputation of the Bundesliga strengthened by the transfers of Sadio Mané and Mario Götze.
Borussia Dortmund’s managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke sees the international reputation of the Bundesliga strengthened by the transfers of Sadio Mané and Mario Götze.
“The Bundesliga must get stars like Mané and Götze, but also create stars themselves again,” said Watzke of “Bild am Sonntag”, also with a view to the internationally sought-after Englishman Jude Bellingham from BVB. “As a board member of Europe’s club association ECA, I know that German football still has a good reputation.”
As the head of the supervisory board of the German Football League, he congratulated the people of Munich on signing star striker Mané, “because he, like Götze, is good for the Bundesliga”. Götze is moving to Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt. “Mario still has a big name, you could see that from the huge media response to his change,” said Watzke about the former BVB and Bayern professional.
Watzke also welcomes the rapid return of FC Schalke 04 and SV Werder Bremen to the Bundesliga with a view to the league’s appeal. “There’s no question that both clubs are good for the league,” said the 63-year-old. “Not only are we looking forward to the Revierderby, but the whole Bundesliga,” said Watzke, who also hopes for a positive effect on the award of the TV rights in 2025: “If the Bundesliga is booming this season, we will be very happy with marketing help.”