Borussia Dortmund legend Lars Ricken becomes Director of Youth Performance Centre
By Tushar Bahl
Borussia Dortmund have extended the contract of Lars Ricken, and have given him more responsibility, with the club legend becoming the director of the youth academy centre.
Lars Ricken has been the Borussia Dortmund youth coordinator since 2008, and now the club have handed him a five year contract extension. The 44 year old will now also have more responsibility at the club. In addition to his current role, he will also take over as the Director of the club’s Youth Academy Centre starting from January 01, 2021.
While announcing the news of the extension, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans Joachim Watzke heaped praise on Ricken. “Lars Ricken has done a great job in the past years and won many titles with his teams. The fact that we have extended his contract for the long term and that he will be given a directorate is a sign of our appreciation.”
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc also praised Ricken, and said that the promotion was a reward for his excellent work over the years. “It is only logical that we reward the good work of Lars Ricken. And of course we are pleased that we can fill this post with a Dortmund player who identifies strongly with BVB,” Zorc said.
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While Lars Ricken said that his primary goal in his new role will be to continue to help young players with their development, and help them reach the professional team.
"“I thank you for the trust you have placed in me. It was always my goal to work as long and deeply rooted successfully as possible for this club,” Ricken said. “As the person responsible for the strategic, personnel and financial orientation of the NLZ, it will also be my primary goal in the future to introduce young players to the professional team. It is a good feeling to be an important part of the club’s overall strategy”."
Lars Ricken spent his entire playing career at Borussia Dortmund, making 407 appearances for the Black and Yellows. He is best known for his stunning chipped goal in the 1997 UEFA Champions League final against Juventus just 16 seconds after coming on. The goal helped Dortmund become the champions of Europe. The midfielder also won three Bundesliga titles, two DFL-Supercups and the Intercontinental Cup with Der BVB.
After his retirement in 2008, Ricken became Borussia Dortmund’s youth coordinator. He has played a crucial role in helping the club’s youth academy become one of the best in the world.
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Ricken has certainly been vital in Borussia Dortmund’s successes over the last decade, and his extension and promotion is great news for the club.