Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke signs contract extension until 2025

Borussia Dortmund have announced that they have extended the contract of CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, which will keep him at the club until December 31, 2025. The contracts of Chief Financial Officer Thomas Treß and Managing Director of Sales & Marketing Carsten Cramer have also been extended until June 30, 2025.

Watzke’s extension comes just one month after he said that he could extend his stay to help guide Borussia Dortmund through the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 61 year old had previously hinted that he could step down in 2022, but said last month that it was completely out of the question for him to leave the club in the middle of this financial crisis.

His previous contract with the Black and Yellows was due to expire at the end of next year, but now he will stay with the club for at least three more years.

Watzke has been the Borussia Dortmund CEO since 2005, and played a vital role in steering the club away from the brink of bankruptcy. His approach worked wonders, as Der BVB recovered brilliantly and won the Bundesliga title just six years later.

As part of the announcement, Borussia Dortmund president Dr. Reinhard Rauball praised the management of Hans-Joachim Watzke, Thomas Treß and Carsten Cramer, and said that they have done an excellent job of steadying the ship despite the financial losses brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Reinhard Rauball also said that the next two seasons have already been financed, regardless of whether Borussia Dortmund qualify for the UEFA Champions League. “Even against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic situation, no one needs to worry about the existence of Borussia Dortmund. The next two seasons are already fully financed, regardless of whether the team qualifies for the UEFA Champions League,” Rauball said.