If a competing candidate emerges, Watzke will forgo vying for the position - Candidacy withdrawal considered if competitors emerge
Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany's most beloved football clubs, is gearing up for a dramatic leadership change. The election for the new presidency will be held among the club's members in November, and an unexpected twist has shaken up the race.
For over 20 years, Hans-Joachim Watzke has been the chairman of the management board at Borussia Dortmund. However, recently, he announced his candidacy for the presidency, a role he had previously confirmed he would not seek. This sudden change of heart came after the club’s Economic Council and Council of Elders urged him to run.
Watzke's candidacy has been met with strong support from within the club. According to the club's statutes, the election committee proposes a candidate to the general assembly for the presidency. In this case, the committee is backing Watzke, despite incumbent Reinhold Lunow also running again. Lunow, a former friend of Watzke, had previously given internal assurances that he would not run for the presidency.
Interestingly, if the election committee were to propose Lunow for the presidency, Watzke has stated that he would withdraw his candidacy. However, the election committee has not yet announced its proposed candidate for the presidency.
Lunow, who is 72 years old, has decided to maintain his candidacy despite Watzke's declaration. The outcome of the election remains uncertain, but it is clear that Watzke has a strong backing within the club.
Watzke, who plans to step down from his operational role before the general assembly in November, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to continue as president, should he be elected. The annual press conference of the listed football Bundesliga club was held in Dortmund, where Watzke reiterated his commitment to the club.
Despite the unexpected developments, Watzke remains relaxed about the upcoming election. The registered association, which holds the majority in the football Bundesliga club, will have the final say in the election for the new leadership of Borussia Dortmund.
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Despite the extensive focus on the leadership change at Borussia Dortmund, discussions surrounding vocational training in EC countries have been absent in recent sports news. Surprisingly, Watzke, a key figure in football European-leagues, has expressed his interest in improving vocational training opportunities within Borussia Dortmund, should he become the club's president.
