Old wounds: Dietmar Hopp hits back at Watzke and Dortmund | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund and Dietmar Hopp – this relationship remains tense. The Hoffenheim patron once again takes aim at BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke and the Dortmund fans.

Dietmar Hopp has once again fired shots at Borussia Dortmund and Hans-Joachim Watzke. In an interview with Sport1, the Hoffenheim patron made it clear that the old conflicts with the BVB boss are not forgotten for him.

“Watzke really stirred up trouble against me,” the 85-year-old explained. What he means in particular is the criticism from the Dortmund managing director regarding Hopp’s millions in support for TSG Hoffenheim. As early as 2009, Watzke had warned that the patron was circumventing the 50+1 rule with his payments and thus endangering the principle of the Bundesliga.

Later, however, Watzke also showed a more conciliatory side. In 2017, he publicly praised Hopp after Hopp expressed his sympathy immediately following the attack on the BVB team bus. Nevertheless, the relationship between the two remains tense. “We never had a particularly close relationship. Today, I have nothing to do with him,” Hopp made clear.

The billionaire, however, has suffered his greatest wounds from the hostility of parts of the BVB fan scene. Derogatory chants like “Hopp, you whore” or a banner that showed him in crosshairs still linger in his memory.

BVB vs. Hoffenheim: Next Encounter in December

“Of course that was hurtful and way below the belt. I was very annoyed, but today I don’t care,” he emphasized. And yet he makes it clear: “Such troublemakers must not have the last word.”

While Hopp struggles with Dortmund and parts of its fanbase, he shares a close friendship with Uli Hoeneß. “We share a true friendship, a passion for football, and a close connection to our clubs,” he said about the Bayern honorary president.

Even though the patron has long since withdrawn from day-to-day business, he remains indispensable for Hoffenheim. “Actually, I don’t want to play a role anymore. But I have to, because otherwise things won’t move forward,” he explained.

In December, Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund will meet again. By then at the latest, it could become clear whether Dietmar Hopp’s recent statements will further inflame tensions between the fan camps.

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