At Borussia Dortmund it is an open secret that Hans-Joachim Watzke is looking at the post of president. But the election in November will not be a sure -fire success for the previous managing director. At BVB there is probably even a tangible power struggle.
As the “Ruhr Nachrichten” report, incumbent Dr. Reinhold Lunow does not clear his post without a fight. The internist wants to stand for election again at the upcoming general meeting.
He has already communicated this decision in the club. “I am again running as President of Borussia Dortmund because our club is unique – and that should stay that way. We need a strong new cooperation for this: departure and continuity, economic stability and social responsibility belong together inseparably,” Lunow is cited from a message.
The 71-year-old has been President of Borussia Dortmund since 2022. An office on which Watzke is said to have an eye. In autumn, the previous managing director left his role in the operational business of the professional team.
For a long time against BVB
According to “Ruhr Nachrichten”, there is said to have been considering that Lunow makes room for Watzke and will act as his deputy in the future. With the candidate of the doctor, this option is off the table.
Possibly there could now be a combat vote at the general meeting on November 25th. A scenario that Watzke has so far excluded. The candidacy of the 65-year-old has not yet been officially confirmed.
“Reinhold Lunow’s good right is to apply for the presidential office. I will discuss the derivations with the BVB committees,” said Watzke at the request of the “Ruhr Nachrichten”.
If there is actually a combat vote, this would be the same for an open power struggle in Dortmund. Because Lunow and Watzke have been an adversary for a long time.
Lunow was a decisive critic of the sponsorship deal with the armaments group Rheinmetall, which Watzke and head of marketing Carsten Cramer had bagged last year.