“I know…”: Matthäus reveals explosive BVB detail in Schlotterbeck saga | OneFootball

After Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract extension, one issue in particular is causing debate at BVB: a release clause. Lothar Matthäus has taken a clear stance – and revealed a sensitive detail from the negotiations.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract extension at Borussia Dortmund continues to spark discussion – above all because of the agreed release clause. While some fans have reacted skeptically, Lothar Matthäus has openly backed the Germany international and also offered interesting insight into the background of the deal.

For the record Germany international, the centre-back’s decision is understandable. “If Real Madrid come calling, you naturally want to leave yourself a door open, at least a small crack you can walk through,” Matthäus explained on the show Sky90. The fact that Schlotterbeck is keeping open the prospect of a possible move through the clause is by no means unusual in modern football.

The 65-year-old also does not share the criticism coming from parts of the club’s own fan base. “His heart will be in Dortmund. But he wants to keep that door open,” Matthäus stressed, describing the move as common practice in professional football. Players use their negotiating position when the opportunity arises.

Why BVB accepted the release clause for Schlotterbeck

What is particularly explosive, however, is another revelation from the former World Player of the Year: the much-discussed clause was apparently not pushed solely on Schlotterbeck’s initiative. “You don’t make a decision like that alone. I know who pushed the clause through, but I’m not going to say,” Matthäus said, adding: “It was someone from Borussia Dortmund.” According to him, the arrangement was the result of internal deliberations involving several decision-makers.

At its core, it was apparently about making the contract extension possible in the first place. “There are four or five people sitting around the table, and one of them says: ‘Okay, before he leaves without this release clause and doesn’t extend, we’ll give it to him,’” Matthäus described the decision-making process.

From a sporting perspective, Schlotterbeck remains a key pillar for BVB despite the debate. At the same time, the clause gives him the option of taking the next step in his career if the right offers come in – for example from Europe’s elite clubs. For Dortmund, meanwhile, the deal could also pay off financially, since a transfer involving the 26-year-old would likely bring in a significantly higher fee.

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