If there’s one club that everyone in football seems to love, it’s Borussia Dortmund. Whether it be the exemplary behaviour of their fans, the manner in which the team upholds itself and also how it plays the game.
Unless you’re a fan of Bayern Munich that the likelihood is you’ll have a soft spot for a club whose motto is ‘Echte Liebe’ or ‘true love.’
The antics of previous manager, Jurgen Klopp, may have brought the club a bigger focus and consequently wider acclaim, and as one of Germany’s bigger clubs, they have been able to attract some big names.
And yet, despite everything seeming to be in their favour, they’ve never really managed to rule the roost either domestically or in Europe.
Sad as it is to consider, it’s unlikely that the status quo will change anytime soon. Here’s why...
#5 Thomas Tuchel at war with the board
When Jurgen Klopp decided to depart to Liverpool, there was genuine concern that there wouldn’t be anyone to fill his jovial, fun loving boots.
Thomas Tuchel dispelled any fears within the space of one record-breaking debut season, but since then there have been nothing but problems between the manager and his board.
Tuchel decided not to pursue a transfer for Oliver Torres, against the advice of his chief scout, Sven Mislintat. Two prominent members of the board, Michael Zorc (sporting director) and Hans-Joachim Watzke (chief executive), then sided with Mislintat, creating the first murmurs of discontent.
The triple departures of Ilkay Gundogan, Mats Hummels and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also upset the equilibrium. Tuchel also only found out about Alexander Isak’s signing after it had been completed.
There has been bubbling under the surface for a while, but it’s come to the fore again with Watzke's alleged move to ensure Dortmund played their Champions League game the day after their team bus was targeted in a bomb attack – a move Tuchel expressly disagreed with.
Therefore, it’s highly unlikely that he will still be at the club next season, and there’ll be no shortage of takers.
#4 Aubameyang and Reus will leave
Dortmund’s two shining lights of the 2016/17 campaign have been the supremely talented Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus.
Either one of the pair have carried the team at times this season, and have also come up big in the crucial moments. However, the Signal Iduna Park faithful might not be able to enjoy them for too much longer.
Though neither deal has been done as yet, it’s been well reported that Real Madrid want to secure the services of Aubameyang and Barcelona have now entered the race to sign Reus. The Catalans had been rumoured for the last couple of years to sign the player affectionately known as ‘Woodyinho,’ but on this occasion, there appears to be more substance given that Barca are aching for a player of his quality.
Dortmund have managed to remain reasonably competitive when losing players in the past, but to lose this pair, at this time, will be fatal for their short-term health.
#3 Can’t overhaul Bayern Munich
By god, they’ve tried. It’s the perennial challenge for every Bundesliga club, to topple Bayern Munich from their perch, but one that probably grates on Dortmund more than many.
Why?
Because the yellow and blacks have genuine aspirations for being regular title winners but the Bavarians always seem to be able to plant the flag first.
Though not on the domestic stage, they came close to a Champions League victory at Wembley, only to allow Arjen Robben to win it at the death for the Bavarians. And in many respects, that’s the story of this particular battle. Close but no cigar.
There have been occasions when they’ve almost got to within touching distance but almost always fallen away. In some other seasons, they’ve been right royally battered.
Maybe it’s a confidence issue, but whatever it is, they are no closer to getting the Bavarian monkey off of their back.
#2 Lack of consistency
If you want to be the champion of any league, let alone one of the top five in Europe, then consistency is the watchword.
Winning just 17 out of 32 games – as Dortmund have done to this point – is nowhere close to title-winning form. And it isn’t just in 2016/17 where there has been a problem either.
Last season the club finished 10 points behind the Bavarians, the season before they limped to seventh and were a full 33 points behind them. Even a second placed finish in 2013/14 still saw them 19 points off of the eventual champions.
Try as they might, and despite having a high-quality core of players over the last few years, there always seems to be something lacking. A spark missing, to give them a final push and get them over the line.
Unless they were to move heaven and earth and bring in world-class players on astronomical salaries, there’s not too much doubt that that the pattern will continue.
#1 A selling club
For a team that can afford to spend over €100m on players as they did in the 2016 transfer market, you’d think they’d be able to hold onto their best players.
That’s until you realised that most of the money had been generated through player sales, as has been the case for quite some while now. Even Bayern had to bail the club out with a €2m loan to keep them afloat when they couldn’t pay their player salaries a few years ago.
As such, Dortmund have to accept that they will always be a selling club. Gundogan, Hummels and Mkhitaryan are just the tip of the iceberg. Although he’s back now, Mario Gotze was sold when at the peak of his powers.
When a club can’t hold on to its biggest assets, you have to ask the question why? Until they keep the bulk of their squad for a sustained period, they’ll always be the bridesmaid, never the bride.
