Last BVB mission in May 2021
Roman Bürki’s time at Borussia Dortmund will end next summer after seven years at the club. The 31-year-old spent most of his time between the posts as number one in the Black and Yellows – before he was replaced last year. Initially, Marwin Hitz was given preference after an injury, in the summer Gregor Kobel was brought in from VfB Stuttgart for 15 million euros. For Bürki one of the toughest phases of his career.
“I came back from vacation and was no longer number 1, but number 38. Of course I asked myself at first: what’s going on now?” said the goalkeeper “Ruhr News”. “One should simply also see the people behind it. I found this situation difficult.”
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Bürki moved from SC Freiburg to Dortmund in the summer of 2015 and in turn replaced Roman Weidenfeller. This season it wasn’t even enough for a place on the substitutes’ bench, within twelve months its market value fell from 14 million to 1.8 million euros. “I’ve learned a lot about football and recently also about how business ticks. You have to fully understand the connections from the point where football is no longer a hobby but also a business. And that can be tough and cause emotional roller coasters from one day to the next.”
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In order to play a bigger role in sport again, Bürki decided to move to America. At MLS newcomer St. Louis City SC, who will not start in the American professional league until 2023, he should act as a leading player. Despite almost twelve months without a competitive game (last appearance in May 2021), he has no doubts about his own abilities. “I had to learn to free myself from this constant pressure. Because I still have a good relationship with everyone here, the fun came back. My teammates and the support staff played a big part in keeping me positive and really fit,” said Bürki.
Without the help of the BVB coaches, he “wouldn’t have endured just training for a year without the prospect of playing.” And despite the clear hierarchy, he is not angry with compatriot Kobel either. “It wasn’t Gregor Kobel who said, I’m coming, you don’t play anymore. The decision came from the club. Gregor is doing a good job.”
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