CEO Watzke: Dortmund don't need 'a major shake-up' in summer

DPA
·2 min read
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Managing Director of Borussia Dortmund and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the German Football League (DFL), attends a panel discussion at the SpoBis industry conference. German Football League (DFL) top official Hans-Joachim Watzke has said that the recent fan protests against a DFL investor have been a learning experience for him. Christian Charisius/dpa

Borussia Dortmund don't need a squad overhaul after what has so far been a mixed season but it will only not be a bad one if they secure qualification for the next Champions League, CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has said.

"I don't think we'll be making any major changes," Watzke told streaming portal DAZN ahead of Dortmund's Champions League last 16 return leg against PSV Eindhoven later on Wednesday.

"There are always a few ideas that come to mind, but it's not a major shake-up."

Watzke said that Dortmund have a lot of young talent in the likes of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Julien Duranville and Youssoufa Moukoko.

The contracts of veterans Mats Hummels and Marco Reus are meanwhile expiring after the season, and Watzke said the day will come when they will no longer be playing, with both already no longer regular starters.

"At some point, we will lose two players who have done a lot for Borussia Dortmund. But then you absorb that, it has always happened," Watzke said.

Dortmund are currently fourth in the Bundesliga for the last Champions League slot, but under pressure from RB Leipzig who are just one behind. VfB Stuttgart in third are six points ahead.

The next weeks will be crucial because they will play all other teams in the top six over the next six weeks: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, Stuttgart, Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt.

"At the end of the day, it will be decided whether it will be a good season in the Bundesliga. There can't be a good season if we don't end up playing in the Champions League."