After early CL exit: Watzke announces tough cost-cutting at BVB | OneFootball

After financial setbacks and an early Champions League exit, Borussia Dortmund has to tighten its belt. BVB is planning significant savings – including on player salaries.

Borussia Dortmund is responding to a tense financial situation and planning extensive cost-cutting measures. President Hans-Joachim Watzke has issued clear directives after a significant loss of between 12 and 22 million euros is looming for the 2025/26 financial year.

One of the main reasons for this development is missing income from the Champions League. Following the early elimination against Atalanta Bergamo, important revenue that had previously been firmly budgeted for is now missing. As a result, pressure is mounting on those in charge to act.

Watzke spelled out the direction to Ruhr Nachrichten in unmistakable terms: “We have to, and Carsten Cramer (spokesman for the BVB management board, editor’s note) is doing an outstanding job of this, keep increasing our sources of revenue.” At the same time, the club also wants to work consistently on the cost side. “And I also made it very clear to our management that we have to implement very rigid cost management when it comes to our total administrative expenses here.”

Personnel costs at BVB rise to record level

Specifically, this means noticeable cuts to the budget. The club must “try to save eight to ten percent of costs overall.” Despite the current difficult situation, the 66-year-old remains convinced that the club is on the right path: “I trust this management 100 percent.” Most recently, BVB had always posted profits. At the same time, he admits: “This year is different.”

Photo: IMAGO

A key area of focus is personnel costs, which according to Ruhr Nachrichten most recently stood at around 268 million euros, putting them above the figures from previous years. Internally, the salary level of the professional squad in particular is considered too high, which is why adjustments there also appear possible.

Although Dortmund is still regarded as financially solid, the current development makes it clear that even financially strong clubs are not immune to sporting setbacks and their consequences. The cost-cutting course now initiated is intended to help restore balance and put the club on a stable footing in the long term.

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