Hans-Joachim Watzke reported on a conversation with star striker Erling Haaland. In addition, the managing director of Borussia Dortmund announced that he wanted to approach the referee with referee Felix Zwayer.
“Of course we exchanged ideas. We’re good together,” said Watzke before Dortmund’s game at TSG Hoffenheim sky About BVB’s relationship with Haaland: “Erling had the feeling that the media said we gave him an ultimatum, but we didn’t do it. It’s sometimes difficult to tell whether it was media speculation is or comes from the club.”
The Norwegian striker, who will be allowed to leave the club this summer for a fee of €75m before his contract expires in 2024, had recently complained about bosses’ demands that a decision be made on his future by March.
“We have clarified that clearly. There is no rift between us at all,” said Watzke: “At some point we will talk to each other. We have a few basic ideas that we would like to share with Erling and his advisors. We will do that in the next few weeks we don’t have any time pressure. We’ll see whether these ideas bear fruit or not.”
Watzke: Change of course regarding Zwayer
Watzke also announced a change of course regarding Zwayer: “In fact, we should have talked a long time ago. I think we’ll pick up the phone straight away. I have no problem taking the first step.”
However, the 62-year-old emphasized again: “What pissed us off was that he wanted to start the dialogue through the media.”
Zwayer had in December in the image expressed his desire to speak to Jude Bellingham. The BVB youngster had heavily criticized the referee after Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat against FC Bayern (“You give a referee who has postponed games before, the biggest game in Germany. What do you expect?”) And received a fine of 40,000 euros.
“If Mr. Zwayer sends Michael Zorc and me a letter today and encourages a conversation, you can discuss it,” Watzke said at the time Amazon Prime said: “But if an hour later I read the same thing in the media with the original quotes, then I have to be honest: I’m not having confidential conversations with anyone, where I already have it all in the tabloids an hour later. “
“I don’t see any great chances of realizing that,” Watzke replied when asked if there could be a discussion with Zwayer. Now the BVB boss has obviously changed his mind.
Death threats against Zwayer
It is possible that Watzke’s rethinking is also a reaction to the death threats that Zwayer and his family subsequently received. The referee is currently taking a break and, according to his own statements, does not yet know whether he will ever return.
“I can’t currently take on the responsibility of refereeing a Bundesliga game,” explained Zwayer sky: “I have a room in front of me that has two doors. One way leads me back to the football field – and the other leads me to a really great, fulfilling private life without this publicity, without this pressure, without this stress. I work out straight the way. I will be able to make decisions completely free of time, content and financial pressure.”
Zorc had already commented on the death threats when Dortmund lost the cup at FC St. Pauli during the week: “I find it disgusting and in no way to tolerate or justify it.”
