Borussia Dortmund Managing Director Carsten Cramer has publicly endorsed Jürgen Klopp as the ideal candidate to lead the German national team. Speaking to kicker, Cramer argued that Klopp possesses the competence and infectious enthusiasm needed to revitalize German football and provide a positive impulse that extends beyond the sport.
Cramer Identifies Klopp as the Logical Choice for Bundestrainer
Carsten Cramer believes there is no valid argument against appointing Jürgen Klopp as the head coach of the German national team. In an interview with kicker, the 57-year-old executive described Klopp as a “fantastic football coach” and a person who embodies the confidence and competence currently lacking in the national setup.
Cramer emphasized that the appointment would be the “logical, conclusive, and extremely understandable choice.” While Klopp’s legacy at Borussia Dortmund is well-documented, Cramer clarified that the BVB would not seek a specific advantage from his appointment. He stated that the priority remains having the best players represent Germany, regardless of their club affiliation, noting that while Klopp will always be part of the Dortmund “family,” the coaching decision should remain independent of club interests.
Managing the Transition from Hans-Joachim Watzke
The BVB leadership is currently navigating a transition following the departure of Hans-Joachim Watzke as Managing Director at the end of 2025. Watzke continues to influence the club’s direction in his new role.
Cramer dismissed the idea of distancing the club from Watzke to establish his own profile. According to Cramer, the club continues to benefit from Watzke’s experience and strengths. He told kicker that it would be “stupid” to exclude Watzke’s input for the sake of personal profiling, contrasting this approach with how some other entities in German football handle leadership transitions.
BVB Strategy: Shifting from ‘Selling Club’ to European Contender
Borussia Dortmund is adjusting its sporting and business model to better compete with the rising financial power of the European elite. Cramer expressed a desire to sharpen the club’s profile, moving away from a cycle of developing young talent solely for immediate sale.
The goal, as Cramer detailed, is to retain key players for longer periods—holding them “until the day after tomorrow or the day after that”—rather than selling them as soon as their value peaks. This shift is a response to an increasingly “brutal” international competitive landscape.
- Newcastle United
- Aston Villa
- Inter Milan
- Atletico Madrid
- RB Leipzig
The Managing Director stated his ambition is for Borussia Dortmund to remain the “aggressive, ambitious, extraordinary, impossible outsider” in European football, rather than being overtaken by these emerging or established powers.
Comparison: BVB’s Market Positioning
| Traditional BVB Model | Cramer’s Proposed Shift |
|---|---|
| Develop young players for rapid sale. | Retain talent longer to increase competitive edge. |
| Accept role as a feeder for elite clubs. | Fight to prevent being overtaken by clubs like Leipzig or Villa. |
| Focus on financial liquidity via transfers. | Focus on sustained European “attacker” status. |
As Borussia Dortmund enters this new phase under Cramer’s management, the club’s focus remains split between internal structural evolution and a public desire to see a former icon like Klopp return to the helm of German football.
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