Bundesliga need not bow to Premier League, says Watzke
Borussia Dortmund boss Hans-Joachim Watzke says the Bundesliga should be more assertive in the fight for publicity with England's Premier League as the German league returns from the winter break. "I have no fear of the English (league), we must make sure our qualities are in the foreground," Watzke told the Koelnischen Rundschau in a frank interview when asked about the financial gulf between Germany's top clubs and their English counterparts. "There is no need for the Bundesliga to be shy. From a football perspective, it's just as good as the Premier League. "We have superb stadiums filled with passionate fans, the average attendance is much higher, we play great football and we have first-class academies. "We are the world champions, while the English will be able to celebrate a great milestone in the summer: 50 years without a title," he added with tongue planted firmly in cheek. With ex-Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp now coaching Liverpool in the Premier League and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola widely tipped to join him in England next season, there is concern in Germany about a talent drain, a notion Watzke rejects. "The English clubs also only have four teams in the Champions League and I can't imagine that good players from Borussia Dortmund will move to Norwich City or Crystal Palace," said the Dortmund CEO. "Dortmund is among the top ten clubs in Europe: we are a first-class address." Watzke admits being relieved that Dortmund have usurped Champions League side Wolfsburg as second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga this season after a poor 2014/15 campaign saw Borussia finish seventh. "You only have to look at the table: we stand 12 points in front of VfL Wolfsburg," he said. "We have regained our former position." Watzke says Bayern's current domination of German football under Guardiola offers Dortmund little chance to repeat their 2011 and 2012 title wins. "One must not forget that we weren't champions for those two years because we were so strong, but also because Bayern didn't do everything quite right," said Watzke. "Since then, the club (Bayern) has improved unbelievably. "In order to bring some excitement back (into the title race), Bayern would need to start making mistakes again. And Bayern haven't made mistakes for years." Watzke says a return to the Champions League is Dortmund's target for next season after spending this year in the Europa League. "That is the best way to develop the club long term," he added. "In addition, our return to the Champions League would also be good for the Bundesliga, because after the flagship Bayern Munich, we have done the most for German clubs."
