Decision
© Imago
For Hans-Joachim Watzke at his beloved BVB, the presidency at his beloved BVB is to be the crowning glory of his long-term official career in Dortmund. It was long announced that the 66-year-old ends after 20 years as CEO of the BVB capital Society. The fact that he then wants to be voted as President of the main association has long been prepared. And so his declaration that has now only been officially announced to stand for election at the general meeting in November is not a big surprise, but of considerable concern for BVB.
“At our next general meeting, I stand for the election as President of Borussia Dortmund. So I follow the request of BVB committees,” said Watzke on Wednesday in a statement that the “German Press Agency” presented in advance. This is another stage in the power struggle for the association’s presidential office, which has been going on since the end of May. Observers fear a long election campaign that could shake BVB.
Because Watzke’s former friend and incumbent Reinhold Lunow had surprisingly announced that, contrary to his previous internal commitments, he wanted to go to the election again. “My job is to ensure the best possible solution for the association, and there were and gave developments that I perceive, evaluate and draw corresponding conclusions. I will do justice to the responsibility of the office,” the 72 -year -old doctor recently told the “Schwatzgelb” portal about his change of meaning.
Anyone who is BVB president has an impact on the corporation
Anyone who is elected President of the Association by the members is not inconsiderable for the outsourced corporation. Because the association board appoints the management of the KGAA through a GmbH. “It would be an honor for me if I could continue to support our association in this important office after 20 years of operational activity. Reinhold Lunow I informed my decision in a personal conversation,” said Watzke.
Not only had he recently reacted to Lunow’s decision in the “kicker”, “because it was discussed differently”. Lunow officially justifies this with the controversial Rheinmetall deal from last year. Watzke and the busy marketing director Carsten Cramer had signed an advertising contract with the armaments group, which brings BVB around 20 million euros over three years. Lunow initially agreed to the deal and then moved to the critic’s camp at the past general meeting.
Watzke against Lunow: friends became adversary at BVB
Even then, the former friends were no longer green – not only when Lunow announced that they wanted to stand for election again. Watzke proposed him 20 years ago as his successor as the treasurer of the club and three years ago ensured that Lunow ultimately successfully campaigned for the presidency, as a predecessor Reinhard Rauball. In the meantime, the former companions are avoiding as best they are. At the club World Cup in the USA, both are said to have stayed in different hotels. At a fan meeting in Cincinnati, Lunow left the event when Watzke arrived with his entourage.
The internal break at BVB can be clearly felt. As the “Ruhr Nachrichten” reported, Watzke suddenly saw himself exposed to a compliance process in summer because he allegedly billed two charter flights in 2023 but used it privately. The internal examination, however, did not state any misconduct Watzkes: “The objected flights were based on the occasions without exception.”
Watzke himself said: “This is the end of the matter for me. However, I find that internal details of all those involved to the public get to the public from Borussia Dortmund despite all -encompassing confidentiality obligations.”
Opportunities for Watzke as BVB President seem significantly larger
Welcome to big politics. The election campaign has already started, with unforeseeable consequences for Lunow, Watzke, but also Borussia Dortmund. An unpleasant, long election campaign also irritates because Watzke has the better chance of being chosen.
Lunow himself voted his fellow board members to have the general meeting carried out hybrid. According to this, all around 230,000 BVB members and no longer just those present could vote in the election. A considerably more Watzke supporter is suspected among all members. It could have been different for the members of the meeting present. There are many Watzke critics in the active fan scene.
In addition, the statutes do not provide a martial candidate and initially there is only one candidate for the election committee to choose from. Only when this does not get a majority in the first two electoral courses can someone else be suggested. And that Watzke will be the candidate for election committee is considered safe. There is a clear majority per Watzke in the BVB committees.
It is now actually clear that Watzke will win. Overall, is a very democratic process, it is about the EV, where there can be something like that. Find a little headwind for AKI not bad, I have the impression that he wants to develop into our Uli H. Officially without great powers, he continues to pull the threads in the background. His procedure, among other things, has only opened the door for others in the Rheinmetall causa. …
