1
Ahead of the highly anticipated Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich Bundesliga showdown, BVB managing director Lars Ricken shared insights on the forthcoming Klassiker and more during a recent discussion.
The 49-year-old revealed that he had met with Bayern officials last season, suggesting that his dinner invitations were a result of Dortmund’s perceived shortcomings. He noted to Bild: “Those were very cordial meetings, but it was also because Bayern didn’t regard us as rivals last season based on our performance. We need to re-establish that competitiveness.”
Under the new leadership of head coach Niko Kovač, Dortmund has significantly improved from last year’s struggles. The team is currently enjoying an impressive run of 14 Bundesliga matches without a loss since mid-March, solidifying their status as Germany’s second-best team.
Ricken attributed much of this resurgence to Kovač, addressing the skepticism some expressed regarding the decision to extend the former Croatian international’s contract until 2027. He remarked: “It was quite peculiar. Initially, I faced criticism for hiring him. After he led us to a sensational Champions League qualification, people suddenly felt I should have extended his contract earlier. Now they say it’s too soon.”
With Dortmund remaining unbeaten and just four points behind a flawless Bayern, Ricken emphasized the shared responsibility of both clubs in representing German football on an international stage: “Let’s be honest: on the international front, particularly in the Champions League, Bayern and we bear the weight of Bundesliga representation. No other club showcases our league as much as we do.”
GGFN | Harry Good