Hans-Joachim Watzke congratulates Thomas Tuchel and Christian Pulisic for winning the Champions League

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has congratulated Thomas Tuchel and Christian Pulisic for winning the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea.

Former Borussia Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel led Chelsea to Champions League triumph on Saturday, as they earned a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final. Germany international Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time.

Christian Pulisic came on as a second half substitute and helped Chelsea see out the win against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The win helped Chelsea lift the Champions League title for the second time in the club’s history.

"In an interview with Sport1, Watzke said: “I was very happy for him (Thomas Tuchel) and also for Christian Pulisic. It is something extraordinary to win the Champions League. Both of them have absolutely earned it through their hard work.”"

Tuchel was Borussia Dortmund head coach between 2015 and 2017. He was sacked as a result of his strained relationship with the BVB bosses. But Watzke said that he was pleased to see a German coach win the Champions League for the third season in a row. Watzke had described Tuchel as a “fantastic trainer” but a “difficult person” in November 2020.

Pulisic began his professional career under Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund. The USMNT international made 127 appearances and scored 19 goals for the Black and Yellows, before making the switch to Chelsea for a fee of 64 million euros in 2019.

Another former Borussia Dortmund player also tasted success earlier this week, as Paco Alcacer helped Villarreal pull off a shock win against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final. Wins for Chelsea and Villarreal mean that Borussia Dortmund will be in pot two for next season’s Champions League group stage draw.