Watzke, on the other hand, does not want to know anything about lost reputation. “As a member of the board of Europe’s club association ECA, I know that German football still has a good reputation,” emphasized the BVB managing director. Nevertheless, Watzke also knows what is necessary in view of the financially stronger competition from abroad: “The Bundesliga must bring in stars like Mané and Götze, but also create stars of its own.”
Above all, the league should finally create an exciting fight at the top after ten Bayern championships in a row. Watzke raises hopes there too. “What I can promise is that some clubs will do everything for an exciting title race,” said the 63-year-old: “Borussia Dortmund is one of them, as are Leipzig and Leverkusen.”
However, the clubs must continue to fight Bayern in compliance with the 50+1 rule. Despite the ongoing debate about the abolition of the investor limit, Watzke guaranteed the preservation of the regulation, which was demanded above all by the fan groups.
“The greatest nonsense is to claim that you can’t be successful with 50+1,” said the Vice President of the German Football Association (DFB): “It’s no longer necessary to discuss 50+1 because there will be no change in Germany under my responsibility as head of the DFL supervisory board in the next few years. That’s one hundred percent certain.”