Overview
- Hans-Joachim Watzke has stepped down after roughly 21 years as Borussia Dortmund’s managing director and is the sole candidate to become club president at Sunday’s members’ meeting in the Westfalenhalle, which will be held in a hybrid format.
- Der Spiegel and Sportschau reporting highlighted private-jet use and a €8,040 limousine booking at a 2023 Champions League draw, while the club cited a travel-agency booking error, said charges covered the full delegation, and reported no violations in a compliance review.
- A decades-old abuse case involving a former club official has resurfaced, with critics faulting earlier handling and pointing to internal emails in which Watzke distanced himself from operational decisions in 2023.
- The presidency is described by the club as honorary and unpaid, ending Watzke’s reported €2.4 million annual CEO salary, as he continues to hold senior roles at the DFL, DFB and UEFA.
- Member unease persists over expenses, the abuse case and the Rheinmetall sponsorship dispute, and while reports suggest his election is likely, turnout is expected to be low relative to the club’s 237,000 members.