Controversial Schlotterbeck clause: BVB chief Watzke speaks out | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund is facing criticism over Nico Schlotterbeck’s release clause. BVB president Hans-Joachim Watzke has strongly defended the decision and backed the Germany international.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract extension at Borussia Dortmund continues to spark debate — especially because of the release clause included in the deal. BVB president Hans-Joachim Watzke has now taken a clear stance, defending both the player and the club’s decision.

Since the announcement of the new contract, there has been intense speculation about the details. According to a report by BILD, the fixed transfer fee is said to be between €50 million and €60 million. The clause also appears to be limited in time and could reportedly only be triggered by a small number of top clubs — including Real Madrid and Liverpool FC.

Watzke indirectly confirmed the existence of the clause and described it as a sensible solution for both sides. “I’d say it’s a good compromise,” he said in an interview with Ruhr Nachrichten. For the club, the key was to create financial security while also remaining flexible. “For us, it’s always about first securing the transfer values as Borussia Dortmund and then, of course, also having a certain degree of planning security at some point.”

BVB icon Kohler criticizes Schlotterbeck clause

According to Watzke, a key reason for the agreement was to prevent the Germany international from leaving on a free transfer. Without an extension, Schlotterbeck could soon have entered the final year of his contract. “Transfer fees have become so enormously high that you can no longer afford major mistakes — and that includes letting a player like this leave on a free,” the BVB president stressed.

Photo: IMAGO

Criticism of the clause also came from former Dortmund professional Jürgen Kohler. The 1990 World Cup winner does not see it as a clear sign of the player’s commitment to the club: “Honestly, a release clause is not a clear commitment for me. That’s not real love.” He also warned of a built-in “exit strategy” that rarely works out in the long term for everyone involved.

Fan reactions have also recently become a talking point. During the match against Bayer 04 Leverkusen (0–1), Schlotterbeck was booed by sections of his own supporters. Watzke clearly backed the defender and strongly criticized that behavior: “We cannot and do not want to forbid people from booing. But I think we are entitled to tell them that we do not consider boos against one of our players justified.”

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