by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 1 (Xinhua) -- After losing 3-2 to Bayern Munich in a thrilling German Klassiker, Borussia Dortmund faces challenges that threaten the club's future competitiveness.
After exiting from the German Cup and UEFA Champions League, Dortmund's hopes for the Bundesliga title almost vanished, as it trailed by 11 points with 10 matches remaining.
A full realignment appears necessary. While club leaders regarded the league's second place as the new objective, a slow breakup of the current squad is approaching.
"We still have goals and intend to qualify for the Champions League as the league's runner-up," coach Niko Kovac said.
The club's CEO Carsten Cramer emphasized the importance of efficiency in talent scouting and creativity in squad management to achieve ambitious sporting goals.
Over recent years, Jadon Sancho, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ousmane Dembele, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham have risen to prominence when playing for Dortmund before leaving the club.
With this season's sporting setbacks draining the club's finances, the futures of key players like Nico Schlotterbeck and Serhou Guirassy remain uncertain.
Kovac faces the challenge of keeping things together for this season's end, while sporting director Sebastian Kehl is forced to assemble a competitive squad for the coming years.
Cramer said that financial caution must be exercised after economic adventures in 2003 nearly brought the side to bankruptcy, and called for a "back to the roots."
Kovac mentioned the club's potential and positive run since he took over in February 2025, calling for regrouping despite the disappointment in the Klassiker. "We have proved our quality and were on eye level," he said. ■
