Hans-Joachim Watzke: Borussia Dortmund are capable of winning titles

Hans-Joachim Watzke is confident that Borussia Dortmund have what it takes to fight for titles despite their failure to win the Bundesliga this season.

Borussia Dortmund are still reeling from their failure to win the Bundesliga title this season. Needing a win on the final matchday, the Black and Yellows could only manage a draw against Mainz 05 and lost the Meisterschale to Bayern Munich on goal difference.

Hans-Joachim Watzke has admitted that Borussia Dortmund’s failure to win the Bundesliga title this season hurt more than their narrow defeat to Bayern Munich in the 2013 UEFA Champions League final.

But he is optimistic that Edin Terzic’s side can draw from their impressive second half of the season and fight for titles in the coming years. In an interview with BILD, the Borussia Dortmund CEO said:

"“In the second half of the season, we got five points more than Bayern – and nine points more in 2023. You don’t get 46 points in 19 games if you aren’t capable of doing anything. I believe our team is capable of winning titles. They have already done it. This second half of the season was no coincidence!”“My core message (to the players) was that despite everything, we had an outstanding year. We want to build on that! I told the players that this failure will make us even stronger. That we will draw strength from this bond that has been formed between all of us.”"

Despite his optimism, Hans-Joachim Watzke also knows that the large financial disparity between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund means that they must exceed expectations and hope that their rivals underperform if they want to win the Bundesliga title next season. Bayern Munich have won the Bundesliga title for the last 11 seasons, and will be looking to add to their record breaking tally next season.

"“We have very different circumstances. Borussia Dortmund must over perform, Bayern must underperform. And if both perform as normal, Bayern will become champions for the twelfth time. Whether people like to hear that or not, that’s a fact!”"

The 63 year old is not setting an official goal for next season just yet. But he has insisted that there will not be any changes to Borussia Dortmund’s ambitions, and they will look to fight for the Bundesliga title in the coming year.

"“We will set our specific target, as always, during pre-season. But there will definitely be no serious changes. You can already assume that our goal is to fight for the title.”"

Before that, Borussia Dortmund face a crucial summer full of big decisions that could make or break their hopes for next season.