Dortmund Chief Executive Hans-Joachim Watzke fears that Jurgen Klopp’s return to the German club could spark some mixed emotions from the home crowd when they face Liverpool in the Europa League on Thursday night. Watzke believes that Klopp returning to the club where he won two Bundesliga titles and a German Cup could prove a distraction for Dortmund’s fans, and this could hinder the performance of the players. Talking to German Newspaper Welt on Sonntag, Waztke said:
“Most of all I fear that Klopp is trying to lull us into a false sense of security and that he will try to get our fans on his side to ensure that the match feels like a friendly.”
Watzke hopes that during the match the fans focus on supporting their team instead of paying tribute to a manager who has become a cult figure among the Dortmund faithful:
“I would hope that our fans show their respect towards Jürgen after the game, but not before, and not during the game. Everyone sould stand together to face the great Liverpool FC.”
The quarter final draw was “a story only football can write” according to Klopp and he says he is looking forward to introducing his new team in Dortmund. The first leg kicks at 8:05 on Thursday with the first leg being held at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park (formerly called the Westfalenstadion).
