Over the past few years, Borussia Dortmund have built a stellar reputation in Europe and overseas, which has led to Dortmund becoming one of the most admired clubs in world football. It’s hard to find someone outside Germany with logical reason to detest Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund are a constant reminder of the words “football club”. Their supporters are the spine, invested physically and emotionally so much they are constantly getting recognition over social media. Whilst boycotts, protests, and anger towards owners rage on in England, Dortmund are a united front of fans players and owners. Even while they were in the relegation zone, CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke openly declared that he would never sack manager Jurgen Klopp. Loyalty is an extremely rare thing in modern football, especially towards club managers. Could you ever imagine a situation where Chelsea sit in a relegation battle mid season, and Roman Abramovich announces immunity and complete faith in Mourinho? Is it the sense of companionship that surrounds the club which makes Borussia Dortmund so admirable?
The atmosphere that the fans create in the Signal Iduna Park (Westfalenstadion) is unrivalled. It is a dream for many to stand in the middle of the famous ‘Yellow Wall’ or ‘Gelbe Wand‘ or to witness it first-hand and allow it to smother the senses. The passion and stunning visual treats that Dortmund flex beautifully in that famous south stand put most other clubs around Europe to shame. This level of intensity cannot be seen anywhere else at all. Manchester City’s blue moon has risen at Wembley; Liverpool’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” may ring around Anfield, but Dortmund’s yellow wall captivates us more than all. Borussia Dortmund has the highest average attendance of any football club in the world, and it is obvious why with such a powerful atmosphere and reputation.
In complete polar opposites, English clubs are bemoaning their own atmospheres. Even Jose Mourinho back in November 2014 criticized his beloved Stamford Bridge, stating ‘Playing here is like playing in an empty stadium’. Could it be when English fans see Dortmund’s atmosphere they attach themselves to it so much because similar levels of atmosphere aren’t present in England? The attraction visually and emotionally, downright psychologically, is spreading rapidly through English football.
‘Die Schwarzgelben’ (The Black and Yellows) are admired not only for their support and atmosphere but also their coach. Jurgen Klopp leads with his heart on his sleeve. He moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2008 and since then has built a legacy worthy of legendary status, having won back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2010-11 and 2011-12, and reaching the Champions League final in 2013. However, it’s his passion for the team and game that draws fans closer to him and Dortmund. Football fans, especially in England, adore a manager who expresses his opinions openly. When a team scores, fans love nothing more than to see the manager celebrating like a crazed lifelong fan. Klopp gives this in abundance.
Klopp’s odd sense of humour and bizarre style is admired in conjunction with an already stylish football club. All have fallen for it, and that can’t be hidden. The football Klopp deploys in his Dortmund team is attractive, attacking football. It has sucked so many into this love affair with the German club which can’t escape. Even the players themselves are admired for their interaction with the fans. After a loss away to Augsburg, Mats Hummels and Roman Weidenfeller walked over to the travelling supporters and apologized. They reassure the supporters, allow them to express their opinions and show a fantastic level of respect for Borussia Dortmund as a club.
All football fans wish they had a piece of Dortmund in their club.
