Official: Watzke departs Dortmund’s board of directors to take president role

Watzke was widely credited with helping BVB to overcome their financial issues and achieve great success during his tenure.

Borussia Dortmund can confirm that Hans-Joachim Watzke has stepped down as the Chairman on the Board of Directors. 

The Westphalian club hosted their members’ assembly this afternoon and gave Watzke a standing ovation as he departed the podium.

However, the 66-year-old crucially received 59% of the votes to succeed Reinhold Lunow as president, who held the position since 2022. 

According to external reports, at least 70% of the votes had been anticipated for Watzke and there were some isolated boos during the vote.

At the start of 2024, BVB stated Watzke would remain in the CEO position at Borussia Dortmund for just one more year.

He was 64 years old at the time that the announcement was made, having spent more than 20 years working with the club.

It was seen as confirmation that the end of an era was coming for the Bundesliga side, with Lars Ricken set to take over his post.

Watzke was largely credited with overcoming BVB’s financially dire straights in 2005-06 by implementing strict cost-cutting measures. 

Thereafter, the club soared into a period of success with two Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokal cups and two Champions League final appearances.