Difficult months for BVB
©IMAGO
After one and a half years, 66 competitive games and one goal in the Borussia Dortmund jersey, midfielder Pascal Groß moved back to his former club Brighton & Hove Albion last week. The 34-year-old veteran celebrated his comeback in East Sussex in the Seagulls’ 2-0 win against Burnley last Saturday. Now he gave insights into his reasons for the move and his emotional return to the Premier League.
He had “never experienced that before,” Groß told “Kicker” about the warm reception from the Brighton fans at the Amex Stadium and followed it up with a sober “cool thing”. Coach Fabian Hürzeler let the 16-time DFB player play against the Clarets for 19 minutes. Groß last played for BVB at the end of the year against Mönchengladbach, but had previously not been used by coach Niko Kovac three times in a row in the final phase of the Bundesliga first half of the season. “Of course it’s never easy for a thoroughbred footballer like me when you play less than you imagine. That’s been very difficult in the last few months. But there were also good moments and I’ve never lost my interest in football. Of course, I’m happy to hopefully have more playing time again and hope to be able to help the new team,” said Groß.
He said he had an amicable breakup with Kovac, but Groß also made it clear: “Of course I wasn’t happy. But football is often a matter of opinion. A coach has to make his decisions, but so do I as a player. Everything is okay as a person. I’m looking forward now.”
The Mannheim native played a total of 228 games for Brighton from 2017 to 2024 and contributed 76 scorers. Back in England, he is now looking forward to the upcoming “highlights like in Manchester, at the Etihad, at Old Trafford. That’s also one reason why I went back: I’ve always followed the Premier League, a balanced competition.” There had been discussions with the Seagulls about a possible return for a long time, said Groß, who, after positive discussions, also pushed for a timely implementation. “When I no longer had the opportunity to play in Dortmund, I wanted to go back to a place where I could have more influence and play more often so that I could recommend myself for the World Cup. I have always been in contact with Fabian (Hürzeler, editor) since I left. We talked and the clubs came to an agreement towards the end of the year. That was important to me, to play in January and not to change at the end of January and lose a month.”
Great about BVB farewell: “Brighton was not the only option”
The possible participation in the World Cup was an important factor. He was in contact with national coach Julian Nagelsmann, “even when I wasn’t invited recently. The exact content remains between us, but basically he made it clear to everyone that playing time is important. Brighton wasn’t my only option, but I can gain a foothold here the quickest.” Looking back, he still doesn’t want to miss his time with the Westphalians. “I met a lot of great colleagues, a lot of great people, I played Champions League football. And especially the home games are something very special, also with a view to Europe.”
Brighton could also go there again next season, currently three points separate the Hürzeler squad from the international places in the table. Groß is optimistic about the second half of the season: “We have a lot of young and experienced players alike. If we find a good balance, we can win a lot of games. Where we will end up is difficult to estimate, but I am confident.”
