After the match against TSG Hoffenheim, Peter Stöger made clear his position regarding his personal situation: "The discussions with Hans-Joachim Watzke and Michael Zorc were always great. We already decided some time ago that some new impetus would possibly be good for the club, and that this would be most easily injected by way of a new manager."

Stöger took charge of Borussia Dortmund in the middle of December with the club eighth in the table, and led them to a fourth-place finish to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. "Unfortunately not in second or third place, but fourth", said Stöger: "We really wanted to keep hold of third place. When we arrived here, we thought it would be easier, but we have still made it over the finishing line nonetheless."

The match against Hoffenheim was, he said, "a reflection of that which has accompanied Borussia Dortmund these last weeks, months, and maybe even across the entire season: we were not certain in our play, even though we were not on the back foot. Instead, we made it easy for our opponent to get into the match." 

Stöger will still accompany the team for the games in Zwickau (on Monday), the blitz tournament in Herne (on Thursday), as well as the brief trip to Los Angeles that follows. "Afterwards I will return home to my native Vienna, enjoy my time there and see what happens", he announced, and expressed his hope "that my successor will be able to bring a bit more calm and stability to the team".

Stöger emphasised one further time he was "happy that the surprising opportunity to lead this club was given to me".
Boris Rupert