Can Borussia Dortmund once again pose a threat to FC Bayern in the title race? After 21 matchdays, the two clubs are separated by just six points – and BVB’s belief in their own chances is growing. Central defender Nico Schlotterbeck has recently been unusually aggressive in expressing his ambitions. He is now receiving support from a prominent figure: Oliver Kahn is demonstratively backing the Dortmund player
„As BVB, you also have to have the ambition to say to the fans that we want to become champions,“ Schlotterbeck emphasized after the 3:2 work victory against Heidenheim. A six-point deficit can be made up and the team wants to „attack now.“ A clear statement – which does not meet with approval everywhere in Germany
Kahn, on the other hand, sees this as exactly the right approach. On LinkedIn, the former FC Bayern CEO described Schlotterbeck’s words as a „clear and self-confident definition of goals“. Kahn sees the fact that the international player almost had to justify himself afterwards as a symptom of a fundamental problem
Kahn criticizes German restraint
„In Germany, it is still considered a virtue to dampen expectations,“ writes Kahn. Humility and modesty are often seen as a safety mechanism. You don’t want to promise anything so that you don’t have to be measured later. In the short term, this creates calm – but in the long term, there is no benchmark
Without clearly formulated goals, performance becomes arbitrary, according to Kahn’s analysis. „A strong mentality is the ability to withstand expectations and accept consequences.“ Saying: „We want to become champions“ does not automatically increase the pressure, but creates orientation. Players then know what they will be measured against
Especially in comparison with FC Bayern, Kahn believes that the competition has some catching up to do. Back in January, he criticized the fact that many Bundesliga clubs were inwardly ticking off duels with the record champions. With such an attitude, it would be difficult to stand up to Munich in the long term
Between perspective and personnel policy
Kahn’s statements sound almost like an indirect warning to BVB, because perspective also plays a decisive role with regard to possible contract extensions. „Top performers don’t think in narratives, but in perspectives,“ said the 55-year-old. If they don’t see a real goal that is worth staying for, they draw their conclusions – „quietly, professionally, without public criticism“
In Schlotterbeck’s case, this is certainly relevant. His contract in Dortmund runs until 2027, and an extension has yet to be agreed. With his championship announcement, the defender has at least made it clear where he sees the journey heading.