“Both sides lose”: Hamann blasts BVB’s Schlotterbeck deal | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund’s new contract with Nico Schlotterbeck is causing debate. TV pundit Dietmar Hamann even considers the BVB deal “fatal” because of the early release clause.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract extension at Borussia Dortmund continues to spark discussion. Despite a long-term deal running until 2031, the new contract includes a controversial release clause that takes effect as early as after the 2026 World Cup. For TV pundit Dietmar Hamann, the deal is hard to understand.

Speaking on the football talk show Sky90, the former Germany international was clearly critical: “I think putting in a release clause in two or three months is fatal.” In his view, the extension is not a classic win-win situation, but rather “a contract extension in which both parties are the losers.”

The background to the criticism is the setup surrounding the clause. According to media reports, only selected top clubs such as Real Madrid or Liverpool can trigger this option. Other interested parties, including Bayern Munich, reportedly do not have access to it. Hamann sees this as a clear signal: “The only reason he signed the contract is that, at the moment, there wasn’t anyone else willing to pay the transfer fee.”

BVB star Schlotterbeck set to leave? World Cup 2026 as a key factor

The 52-year-old also believes Schlotterbeck wants to use the World Cup stage to put himself in the shop window for a move. “He’ll be looking to get a club after the World Cup,” Hamann predicted, while leaving open whether a suitable club will actually emerge.

Photo: IMAGO

From a financial perspective, too, the former professional sees problems coming Dortmund’s way. While the club could generate income in the region of 50 to 60 million euros in the event of a transfer, Hamann significantly downplayed that advantage: “The extra money Dortmund will get, they will probably have to spend again because the transfer window will already have moved on somewhat.”

In addition to the financial aspects, Hamann also criticizes the signal it sends to the fans. A club like Dortmund, in particular, thrives on identification, and that could suffer under constellations like this. His clear assessment: “I don’t understand why the club didn’t hold firm.” That means the Schlotterbeck situation remains a potential source of unrest – especially with an eye on the upcoming World Cup summer.

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