BVB mourns sadly the loss of its old legends
With Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund loses its prominent brand ambassadors and two leading players. This changes the team hierarchy - and gives headaches to the trainer. Meanwhile, the two old heroes are embarking on new adventures.
At first glance, everything seems normal. Upon Borussia Dortmund's arrival in Japan, the autograph hunters are lined up. But this time, the interest of the numerous fans is less focused on individual professionals. With the departures of Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund lacks two brand ambassadors with special charisma. "Marco was a superstar in Asia. He and Mats were absolute crowd favorites. We have lost two prominent faces," admitted business manager Carsten Cramer.
The departure of the duo complicates not only marketing activities in Asia but also presents trainer Nuri Sahin with a challenging task in finding a new team hierarchy. The embarrassing 0:4 loss in the test against Pathum United in Bangkok on the previous Sunday cannot be explained by this but rather by the climate and time change, tight schedule, the use of many young players from the U23 and U19, who had traveled as replacements for the missing EM participants.
"Marco and Mats were not only important players but also important characters in our team. I'm sure we have one or two players who can take on that role," said Julian Brandt to the "Ruhr Nachrichten." The midfielder is one of those whom Sahin has identified as leading players. After all, he has been in his sixth BVB season and has recently been wearing the number ten jersey. "I see myself in that responsibility as well," so Brandt.
A Framework of National Players
That Brandt wore the captain's armband during the Bangkok test is seen by many observers as an additional indicator for a new role. "He is a player with experience, quality, and above all leadership skills. And he wants to retrieve that more often," commented the new sports chief Lars Ricken. As further leading figures, Sahin should have identified the national defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton.
The establishment of a new team hierarchy has consequences for personnel planning. After the departures of Anton and Serhou Guirassy, further professionals are to be recruited. The planned transfer of national player Pascal Groß from the Premier League club Brighton is only about the transfer fee. In addition, external defenders Yan Couto (Manchester City) and Mittelfeldspieler Rayan Cherki (Olympique Lyon) are being considered as candidates.
For which club the 35-year-old veterans Reus and Hummels will play in the future remains open for now. There are almost daily new rumors, but nothing concrete yet. The latest headlines are caused by Hummels, whom the Italian sports newspaper "Gazzetta dello Sport" links with Real Madrid. However, according to Spanish media, there is nothing to it.
Following the Trail to Italy
More likely than a transfer to Real Madrid seems a move to Italy. Champions League participant FC Bologna is reportedly interested in signing the World Cup winner of 2014. A move to Italy would have advantages for Hummels, as it would bring him closer to his Munich-residing son, who is starting school in the summer. "The private aspect is an issue. Considering that my son is going to school in the summer, it's important that this can be arranged," Hummels revealed in his last weeks at BVB.
Also Reus is still looking for a job. After twelve years at his hometown club, the born Dortmunder feels the desire "for a new adventure". Rumors about a change to the Ronaldo-Club Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia seem baseless. Reportedly, the offensive all-rounder is flirting with a move to the Major League Soccer. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Reus is close to a move to the US club Los Angeles Galaxy.
It's quite possible that he will return to BVB after a stint overseas. Club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke has offered him a job: "We hope very much that he will return to BVB after his professional career, because there are enough exciting tasks waiting for him in Dortmund."
In the absence of Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund is missing two prominent figures who were particularly popular with the Asian fanbase. Business manager Carsten Cramer acknowledged that Reus and Hummels were beloved due to their special charisma.
The departures of Marco Reus and Mats Hummels have positioned Julian Brandt as a potential leader, as he has been identified by trainer Nuri Sahin as one of the new leading players. Brandt, who recently wore the number ten jersey, sees himself as assuming this responsibility.
