Farewell sadness not needed in departure, according to Watzke - Farewell devoid of sorrow and separation
Hans-Joachim Watzke Steps Down as CEO of Borussia Dortmund, Aims to Run for President
After 20 years at the helm of Borussia Dortmund, Hans-Joachim Watzke has announced his intention to step down as CEO and run for the position of club president.
During his final press conference, Watzke expressed his gratitude for his time at the club and highlighted some of his achievements. He mentioned that Borussia Dortmund has once again achieved a turnover of over 500 million euros without transfer revenues, a goal he had set. The club's total turnover, however, has fallen from over 600 million euros to around 587.2 million euros.
The decrease in profits is due to lower transfer revenues, as stated by Watzke. This is particularly evident in the sale of Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid during the 2023/2024 fiscal year, which significantly affected the club's revenue.
Despite the dip in profits, the club's financial director, Thomas Treß, stated that almost the entire profit will be distributed to the shareholders.
Watzke's departure from the operational management role is planned for autumn 2025, but he aims to maintain influence through the presidential role, which is more strategic and representative than day-to-day management.
If elected as president, Watzke will be facing competition from Reinhold Lunow, who has announced his candidacy for re-election. If the election committee nominates Lunow for the position, Watzke has indicated that he will withdraw his candidacy.
Watzke's long tenure at Borussia Dortmund has been associated with professional management and financial stabilization of the club. The exact impact of his departure on the club's finances is yet to be seen, but his ongoing involvement as a presidential candidate suggests continuity rather than disruption.
The members will elect a new board in the fall, including a new president. The election will mark the end of an era for Borussia Dortmund, as Watzke steps down after 20 years of service.
Timeline:
- Watzke has completely withdrawn from Borussia Dortmund's management in recent weeks.
- The annual press conference took place in Dortmund.
- In his first annual press conference 20 years ago, Borussia Dortmund reported a turnover of 75 million euros and a loss of 54 million euros.
- Hans-Joachim Watzke has stepped down as the manager of Borussia Dortmund after 20 years.
- Borussia Dortmund reported a net loss of around 6.5 million euros for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, compared to 44.3 million euros in the previous year.
- Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGaA generated 526 million euros from operations, advertising, TV marketing, and merchandising, an increase of 3.3% compared to the previous year.
- The club's total turnover has fallen from over 600 million euros to around 587.2 million euros.
- The decrease in profits is due to lower transfer revenues, as stated by Watzke.
- This increase in revenue was achieved without player sales, as emphasized by Watzke.
- Financial director, Thomas Treß, stated that almost the entire profit will be distributed to the shareholders.
- Watzke is leaving Borussia Dortmund with gratitude.
- The members will elect a new board in the fall.
- Reinhold Lunow has announced his candidacy for re-election as the president of Borussia Dortmund.
- If the election committee nominates Reinhold Lunow for the position, Hans-Joachim Watzke will withdraw his candidacy.
[1] Borussia Dortmund Annual Press Conference 2025 [2] Hans-Joachim Watzke Steps Down as CEO of Borussia Dortmund [3] Watzke to Run for Borussia Dortmund President
- The decreasing profits in Borussia Dortmund's finances, despite the successful achievement of surpassing 500 million euros in turnover without transfer revenues, can be attributed to the lower transfer revenues, particularly from the sale of Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid during the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
- In an attempt to maintain his influence within Borussia Dortmund, Hans-Joachim Watzke, upon stepping down as CEO, aims to run for the position of club president, potentially facing competition from Reinhold Lunow, who has announced his candidacy for re-election.
