Borussia Dortmund chief Michael Zorc admits his side are prioritising Bundesliga success over Champions League progress in bid to keep hold of top stars, as he insists they still harbour hopes of keeping Erling Haaland for ‘as long as possible’
- Borussia Dortmund are currently sat fifth in the Bundesliga table in Germany
- They are sat outside the Champions League places, two points off the top four
- They are into the last eight of Europe’s top competition after beating Sevilla
- However, Michael Zorc insists they are more focused on domestic duties
Borussia Dortmund are prioritising domestic success in a bid to keep their top stars, insists their sporting director.
Dortmund are currently sat outside the Champions League places in the Bundesliga, two points behind fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt in the table after a stuttering campaign to date.
They have enjoyed more success in Europe, where they reached the last eight of the Champions League last week after coming through their tie against Sevilla.
Borussia Dortmund are focusing on domestic duties in order to keep their top stars
However, Michael Zorc insists that improving their standing in Germany is more important, if they wish to keep their top stars.
The likes of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho have long been linked with moves away from Signal Iduna Park, but while they are in Europe’s premier competition, it gives them a reason to stay.
‘We don’t want to play in the Europa League on Thursdays. We want to give our calling card in the Champions League,’ he told Welt am Sonntag.
Speaking further on the need to keep Haaland after a blistering first full season with the club, Zorc added: ‘I have never seen someone like him. We can search Europe-wide.
Erling Haaland is being courted by a host of big clubs, including those in the Premier League
‘If he ever left us somewhere, there would only be a handful of clubs, but we’ll try to keep him as long as possible for sporting reasons.’
Haaland has mustered 31 goals across just 30 appearances for Dortmund in all competitions this season.
His form has led to him being linked with several of Europe’s top clubs, including the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United.
