FC Bayern has dominated the Bundesliga for the last ten seasons in a row and has secured the championship title every year. In 2022/2023 Borussia Dortmund now wants to make the next attempt to finally push Munich off the throne again. How likely that is is now assessed by someone who has already done successful work for both clubs.
Matthias Sammer is a Dortmund club legend, became German champion with BVB as a player and coach and won the Champions League in 1997. But his four years from 2012 to 2016 at FC Bayern in the role of sports director were also characterized by great success, as the Munich team won the championship during this time and in 2013 the first treble in the club’s history.
The 54-year-old’s assessment of the current balance of power between FC Bayern and BVB is all the more in demand. In an interview with the “kicker”, Sammer explained that even in the eleventh year after the last BVB championship, he does not believe in a collapse of the German industry crust from the south.
“I recognize their performance. I wouldn’t have done it before, but if they’re great again next year and win the championship, I’ll be the first to congratulate them. I’m more interested in what Borussia Dortmund achieves, but I’m happy when they German teams, including Bayern, are successful,” said Sammer, who no longer believes in resentment or bad emotions between the two biggest clubs in Germany: “If a club achieves such successes over a decade, we should stop grumbling, complaining or look there with envy, just be full of respect.”
Sammer wants to be a “party stallion” at BVB
In any case, the external advisor recommends that the black and yellow should not only be guided by the question of when FC Bayern could finally be overtaken again. The Dortmund champion coach from 2002 emphasized that one should look at one’s own style of play, one’s own development and identity. Then the really big shots would be possible again.
“We know from our life experience that every era comes to an end. But you have to look at this discussion completely separately from what the result will be at the end of the season. Borussia Dortmund should […] want to do honest, hard work shaped by their identity and win in every game,” was the advice of the former international and European champion of 1996.
Sammer summed up Dortmund’s formula for success for the new season in one simple sentence: “Euphoria is welcome to develop on a stable foundation of performance – then I’m the party horse too.”