Jürgen Kohler, a long-serving Bundesliga player for Dortmund, has voiced criticism regarding the terms of Nico Schlotterbeck’s contract extension with BVB.
‘To be quite honest: a release clause, for me, is not a clear commitment. That’s not true love,’ the 1990 World Cup winner stated in an interview with Sport1. ‘The big clubs dictate the timing and conditions of a transfer themselves. With Borussia Dortmund, I often get the feeling that they react rather than act.’
Schlotterbeck extended his contract until 2031 last week after arduous negotiations. According to media reports, however, the agreement includes a release clause for specific clubs that can be activated as early as the summer. ‘You now have a top player – but with a built-in exit strategy. In such constellations, there are often no real winners,’ Kohler commented.
The 26-year-old Schlotterbeck, whom BVB has now made one of their highest earners, possesses ‘all the prerequisites to be an international top player and also to take on a leadership role,’ but primarily needs consistency: ‘If he can achieve that, he can become a top-level defensive leader.’
Jürgen Kohler Criticizes Booing of Nico Schlotterbeck
During the home game against Bayer Leverkusen (0:1) on Saturday, the first after the contract extension was announced, Schlotterbeck was booed by some fans. While Dortmund officials and teammates had already criticized this, Kohler (60) also disapproves.
‘I understand the frustration, but in critical phases, a player needs support – not additional unrest. In the end, this helps neither him nor the team,’ he said.