Overview
- In an interview with Sport Bild, longtime Borussia Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke reflected on the 2017 split as he prepares to leave the CEO role after two decades.
- Watzke cited the April 11, 2017 bombing of the team bus before the Monaco tie as a turning point, noting the rescheduled match the next day became a flashpoint with Thomas Tuchel.
- He said external reports did not match internal discussions and that every player was free to skip the rescheduled game without consequence.
- Watzke recalled that a post-season meeting with Tuchel lasted about 20 minutes with no real dialogue, after which both sides agreed to part.
- Tuchel won the DFB-Pokal that season and averaged 2.12 Bundesliga points per game at Dortmund, and Watzke now calls him an outstanding coach.