BVB chief Watzke recalls: When Hoeneß was still the perfect rival | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund’s longtime CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke speaks openly about his former rivalry with Uli Hoeneß. Today, the once adversaries share a relationship marked by mutual respect.

Upon his departure from the CEO position, Hans-Joachim Watzke has spoken candidly about his relationship with former Bayern bosses Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. In Sport Bild, the 66-year-old recounted how the dynamic between Dortmund and Munich shaped their personal interactions over many years.

Watzke explained that, in the past, their interactions were primarily defined by sporting competition. “My relationship with Uli Hoeneß, and also with Kalle Rummenigge, was always especially good in the early years whenever there was as much distance as possible between us in the league table. And it always deteriorated noticeably whenever we were closer together.”

Over time, however, this fundamentally changed. Both sides developed a relaxed relationship, now characterized by respect. Watzke particularly remembers a shared dinner with the Bayern leadership, where current FCB boss Jan-Christian Dreesen raised his glass and said, “Now comes a historic moment!”—to which Watzke and Hoeneß toasted each other with laughter.

BVB Boss Watzke: Ruffling Feathers as Part of Leadership Strategy

According to Watzke, the regular tensions of the past were not a matter of personal dislike, but rather part of his strategy to clearly position Dortmund. BVB needed a strong leader who was visible. “I was and still am of the opinion: Borussia Dortmund needs someone at the top who is known,” he emphasized in retrospect.

Especially at the beginning of his tenure, he was aware that he first had to make a name for himself in German football. He openly admits, “When I started back then, it was clear to me: I have to make myself known now! And, of course, the best way to do that is to pick a few real opponents and ruffle some feathers.”

After two decades at the helm of BVB—with league titles, cup victories, and two Champions League finals—Watzke is not only taking stock of his sporting achievements, but also of a rivalry that, over the years, has developed into genuine mutual respect.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.