Lukasz Piszczek: Final season with Borussia Dortmund was difficult but rewarding

Former Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek spoke with Polish outlet Po Gwizdku about a number of topics that included his time with the club and the current partnership between Die Schwarzgelben and the academy he helps run in his hometown of Goczałkowice Zdrój.

Łukasz Piszczek is a player all Borussia Dortmund fans remember with great fondness. The former Poland international spent eleven years in black and yellow, winning the Bundesliga twice and the DFB-Pokal three times.

Over the course of his time in Dortmund, Piszczek was never very fond of interviews, which makes it all the more interesting that he recently spoke to Polish outlet Po Gwizdku in the first place. The interview is a real treat, with “Piszczu” touching on a number of topics, many of which dealt with BVB and his experiences in Germany.

One of the more interesting points mentioned over the course of this interview surrounds the conclusion of Piszczek’s time in BVB colors. The former Polish international noted that his final season with the club was far from easy, with a variety of factors coming into play to make it as difficult as it was:

"“There was a moment after the DFB-Pokal where Sporting Director [Michael Zorc] asked whether we could extend my contract [at the club]…that season was very difficult for me…I wasn’t playing as much, and I was a player who understood the fact that I would not be first choice in my position, be that at right center back or right back. I thought I would play more [than I did] however.” –  Łukasz Piszczek, Po Gwizdku"

A change in coach brought about a bit of a revival for Piszczek’s season. In his own words, he recollects his final months with the club and how he felt he could give more of himself than he was being given the opportunity to contribute at the time:

"“There was a change in coaches. Edin Terzic, who was previously the assistant [to Lucien Favre], had his own idea for the team where I perhaps wasn’t taken into account. I had a conversation with him [Terzic] and told him that, after training, I feel strong enough to give this team something still, and at the end of the season, I was able to do that.”"

Lukasz Piszczek: I couldn’t have dreamed of a better end to my career

The end of the season saw Borussia Dortmund rise to the occasion and secure a Champions League berth, as well as bring home their first trophy since their previous DFB-Pokal win in 2017 under Thomas Tuchel. For Lukasz Piszczek, there could have been no better way to end his Dortmund career:

"“We had a small chance to advance to the UEFA Champions League [due to position in the league] but we managed to do it. We also won the DFB Pokal and I was very happy. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better end to my career, and to say goodbye with a trophy with Borussia Dortmund, because during talks about my [previous] contract extension I said I still really wanted to win something with Dortmund and it worked out.”"

Piszczek’s time with Borussia Dortmund is something the player looks back on very fondly. When asked whether he had any regrets surrounding any potential transfer offers he may have declined over the course of his career with the club, the Dortmund legend was quick to say that while offers did indeed come in for his services, he didn’t regret turning them down:

"“In Dortmund, I was lucky enough to have coaches who counted on me and I was never faced with the fact that I should seek another challenge. I felt good there [in Dortmund] and that’s why I was there for so long.”"

While Piszczek’s Dortmund career is perhaps over, his partnership with the club remains. Piszczek helps spearhead an academy in his hometown of Goczałkowice Zdrój in tandem with the club. He established the academy in 2017 via his own foundation, which is now supported by Borussia Dortmund.

During the interview with Po Gwidzku, Lukasz Piszczek touched on the developments surrounding the academy. The long term goal of the academy, according to Piszczek, is to have players representing the academy at all youth levels starting from the under 7 range to the oldest possible bracket. Piszczek is in contact with his former club and even stated that a Dortmund representative was there this week to discuss future plans.

In tandem with running his academy, Piszczek is also working on the basic courses he will need to pursue a career in coaching. His current role with LKS Goczałkowice Zdrój has given him a good platform to start his studies.

When asked whether his coaching career would be limited to Goczałkowice, Piszczek was unable to deny the fact that if he does indeed take up the career path, his journey may take him away from his hometown yet again:

"“If I do become the coach [of Goczałkowice] then I feel I can’t close off my career prospects to simply staying with Goczałkowice. I think for right now it is a great place for me to learn and grow.”"

With the prospect of a future in coaching, Lukasz Piszczek’s name may continue to make waves in Poland and beyond. He exuded a winning mentality and overall dedication to his work, so there is no doubt he will continue to be successful in whatever endeavors he chooses to pursue in this post-Dortmund chapter of an already accomplished and storied career in football.