CEO Hans-Joachim #Watzke: "This is not an easy day because the mutual appreciation among us was, is and remains great. But after a season which was unsatisfactory for various reasons, we've had to conclude that we haven't made the most of our potential." #BVB
Marco #Rose: "Despite a difficult season with lots of unpredictability, I was convinced we were on the right path. But during our discussion, I got the impression that the total trust of all was no longer there. We've reached a mutual agreement to end our cooperation." #BVB
#BVB confirm that assistant coaches Alexander Zickler and René Maric will also leave the club.
One has to presume that the main voice behind this decision is Sebastian #Kehl, the former #BVB captain who is taking over from Michael #Zorc as sporting director this summer.
If so, it's a huge signal of intent and a sign that Dortmund could be in for a major transition.
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RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has addressed the criticism of his club, as he does from time to time.
Now, I'm going to go through some of his comments and those of some others because a) they're entitled to their views and b) it's very much a standard script.
Long thread 😬
This is a script we've been hearing from the club, its fans and the uncritical Leipzig media bubble for the past decade.
Much of it misses, or willingly ignores, the point. Having said that, some of it also a response to criticism which also misses the point.
1. The Frankfurt comparison or "you've got no fans."
This is a response to the mockery of RB for not having the huge numbers of fans that other big German clubs do. But both arguments (the mockery and the defence) miss the point.
While we were there, SCF fans @helgethomas & @WilleRobin explained brilliantly and articulately what their club is all about. It's still well worth a listen.
Lots of praise for #Eintracht#Frankfurt's fan culture in recent weeks (rightly so), but also certain distinctions to be made within active German fan scenes, particularly between "ultras" & "hooligans," none more so than in Frankfurt...
Displays, fan marches, atmosphere etc are generally conducted by the ultras. The "Ultras Frankfurt" are one of the biggest such groups in Germany.
German ultra groups are generally fairly left-leaning and don't go actively seeking violence, although they will defend themselves.
German "hooligans" however will go looking for violence and will often organise arranged fights with like-minded rival groups. They're often increasingly professional, oganised, MMA-trained & (far) right-leaning. There may be the odd individual link to ultras in some cases.