Michael Zorc, 44 Borussia Dortmund – how did it start with you and BVB back in 1978?
Michael Zorc: Yes, it even started a little earlier, when BVB was still in the second division. In 1975 I stood in the south stand as a boy with a knitted scarf. The opponents were called Göttingen 05. At that time, of course, the desire to play down there arose in me. At that time I was still playing for the suburban club TuS Eving-Lindenhorst in the youth and then switched to BVB in 1978 in the B youth and then in 1981 to the professional area. Of course, the first big dream came true.
What was it like going from fan to pro?
Zorc: I was allowed to train with the pros a few times when I was young. Trainer was Udo Lattek. At some point he came up to me in training and said: ‘Look, Michael, you can run, you can kick, sign the contract.’ That’s how the story started. In the beginning, the games with the junior national team helped. In 1981 we became European and world champions in one year. At the beginning of the 80s, however, it wasn’t like it is today, that a young player at 17 or 18 is pushed like Jadon Sancho or Jude Bellingham. The youth had to queue at the back.
From being relegated in 1986 to winning the World Cup – what was the most important game of your career? Or the most important title?
Zorc: No, the individual title or the most important title, you can’t say that. Look, in 1989 it was the first title in 23 years with Nobby Dickel as the Hero of Berlin. At the time, that triggered a huge wave of emotions around BVB. That was like a starting shot that ended in the first championship in 1995. And 1996 the title, that was a confirmation. We more or less flew to the championship. And then, of course, came the Champions League victory in 1997. Back then you felt like you were on Olympus.
Did you ever think about leaving BVB?
Zorc: In fact, there were a few considerations, at the very end of my career, because of course I couldn’t understand why Ottmar Hitzfeld put me on the bench from time to time. Then there were one or the other offer from the Bundesliga, and from abroad as well. But the more I worked on it, the more I decided to stay here at BVB. From today’s perspective, that was absolutely the right decision.
Was it quickly clear that you would take the path of sports director?
Zorc: I wanted to stay in football. I studied economics in the early 1980s and have always had a soft spot for it. And that’s when this branch of sports director came into being, and I decided to go down this path. Also with the ulterior motive and with the advantage of staying at BVB in Dortmund.
Was signing Jürgen Klopp the best transfer decision of your career?
Zorc: Yes, of course. Jürgen was extraordinary, is – as you can see again – extraordinary. He’s maybe the best coach, no, he’s the best coach in the world because he brings the whole package with him. He can focus a team, a club on success. He can take the whole environment with him like no other.
Was the time with Jürgen Klopp the best at BVB?
Zorc: Basically, the time as a player is nicer than the time as sports director. But during this sports director time it was certainly the best and easiest time. Even if the last year was a bit difficult. Before we became champions, it was great togetherness. And we all had the feeling that there was a brutal dynamic developing here. We always wanted more, we were hungry and we said, where is the limit? Unfortunately we didn’t win the Champions League final against Bayern Munich 2013.
You have established BVB as number two. Nevertheless, the fans naturally want more. Is the sense of entitlement just too high?
Zorc: It’s legitimate. We’ve come second for the sixth time in the last ten years. And of course, when you’re second, you want to be first. Today we are in a different economic situation than in 2005. But one has to acknowledge, to put it in automotive language: Bavaria just has 300 hp more, I have the impression. If they don’t drive into the crash barriers of their own accord and make the right decisions, it will be difficult for us. Yes, we’ve been close a few times. We should have ended there. We didn’t make it. We have to take credit for that. But I think my successor Sebastian Kehl will do a great job. Aki Watzke is very ambitious anyway. They will keep fighting.
The conversation was conducted by Anne van Eickels.