Hans-Joachim Watzke discusses internal Borussia Dortmund conflicts

Hans-Joachim Watzke, president of Borussia Dortmund (BVB), has spoken candidly about the intense internal conflicts he faced leading up to his election in November 2025. In an interview with Sky, the 67-year-old described the period as the most difficult of his 20-year tenure at the club.

Watzke revealed that he faced intrigues and the circulation of caricatures intended to undermine his candidacy. He admitted that the opposition from within his own club environment was particularly distressing. The pressure was so significant that he considered withdrawing his candidacy immediately before the vote, at one point thinking, “Macht doch euren Scheiß allein!” (Do your shit alone!).

Ultimately, Watzke decided to proceed, stating that his sense of responsibility outweighed his indignation. He was elected president with 59 percent of the vote, a result he characterized as a sobering outcome.