Name jokes may have been uncool for decades. But with one that she often smiles at with an avuncular grin because of his Norwegian name Haaland Savior have mentioned, in the end one may well remain in the biblical and in the Luther translation: “It is finished.” And so at Borussia Dortmund they seem mostly relieved that the top scorer for the past two and a half years has – finally – officially announced his move to Manchester City in the Premier League. the constant media interpretation of Haaland’s facial expressions or gestures and hourly changing transfer rumours.
On Tuesday evening, Dortmund still had the small privilege of being the first to report the separation: officially to the shareholders, because securities law requires it, as an “ad hoc notification”, as it is called in stock market Latin. In any case, the owners of BVB shares were informed in tinny announcement German that the Norwegian’s probable change in the coming financial year (i.e. only from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023) would have a “positive effect on the earnings figures” in the “order of magnitude of 35 to 40 million euros” is to be expected. The transfer will only be processed after July 1st, because only then will the Fifa transfer phase begin.
Anyone who is confused by the always rumored fixed transfer fee of 75 million euros has not considered that all this is mainly business. Dortmund had never officially confirmed the 75 million. The English media are currently reporting unrealistic 60 million euros, other sources report 90 million euros. It is clear that BVB will have to give some of the cake, for example to Haaland’s training clubs FK Bryne, FK Molde and RB Salzburg, but above all in the form of exorbitant consultant fees. Even if the player’s actual advisor, Mino Raiola, died a few days ago from a serious illness. Raiola’s heirs, but also Erling’s father Alf-Inge, once a professional at Manchester City, should participate massively in the transfer. English sources report a total of 30 to 40 million euros that should come together for this complex.
In addition, the tax could come into play if, after two loss-making years due to Corona, BVB could then make profits again in the coming financial year instead of capital losses, which in turn can now serve as loss carryforwards. In addition, players have a balance sheet value and residual depreciation, just like normal assets. In other words, since the used player Haaland is being sold, its residual value must be taken from the balance sheet, which is reflected in the result.
Haaland is unique and cannot be replaced one-to-one
Many BVB and football fans in general were fed up with the two-and-a-half-year tug at Haaland because it seemed to emphasize the ugly, capitalistic side of football and the co-earning of consultants and tax offices. Gross or net – an old football joke – what was more? In the thicket of stock exchange supervisory, tax and football association regulations, something is currently being lost what the departure of the iconic miracle striker actually means for football at BVB. All in all, the Norwegian gave the club a spectacular touch for a while, scoring a lot of goals, 85 in 88 games and 23 assists to boot, and making a good million-dollar profit on resale. Now it’s about closing the gaps in sport.
Dortmund coach Marco Rose (left) will soon have to do without Erling Haaland.
(Photo: Martin Meissner/AP)
It’s not one-to-one, because Haaland’s brute force, coupled with amazingly good technical qualities, are internationally unique despite being 1.94 meters tall. At the same time, quite a few in the club have the feeling that the one-sided style of play, with footballing often rather primitive allusions to the frenzied Tor-Terminator Haaland, also had disadvantages. Actually, Dortmund should play most opponents in tight spaces because almost everyone is very defensive against BVB. That rarely worked in the games without Haaland.
The team often had no other means than the Haaland system. When the 21-year-old was absent due to injuries in his two-and-a-half years (which happened a total of 18 times, including seven games in a row in the current half of the season), coach Marco Rose’s team often seemed ill-prepared without the supposed sole entertainer. In the shadow of Haaland, many deficits were also addressed far too little, such as the massive defensive weakness and the lack of speed among Haaland’s comrades.
Sports director Michael Zorc and his designated successor Sebastian Kehl are already working on an update of the squad with the current additions. Almost everyone can play football there, but too few can cramme football with power and physique and will. Central defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle should ensure enormous individual speed and more physique, as does striker Karim Adeyemi, whose commitment was also announced on Tuesday. As far as the transfer fee is concerned, his obligation apparently depended on the thread of the Haaland transfer to the Sheikh club Manchester City. A permanent place for A-Junior player Jamie Bynoe-Gittens can also be expected, who should be even faster than his footballing twin Adeyemi.
Coach Marco Rose is viewed critically – can he come up with an idea without Haaland?
They are still looking for a real center forward and a real six, a classic clearer in front of the strengthened central defence. For the nine-position, the only 19-year-old Frenchman Hugo Ekitike from Stade Reims seems to have a slight advantage. BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke describes him as an “exciting player”, but also as “brave” about a transfer. Ekitike does not have the merits of a Haaland at the same age at the time. Haaland had already shot half of the Champions League into the ground for RB Salzburg. At least that’s what it feels like.
Either way, Dortmund would have had to rebuild the squad after the sometimes frustrating season. The Haaland millions and at the same time the 86 million euro capital increase that the partnership limited by shares through the issue of fresh shares last October, give the club some freedom of movement despite the corona losses. At the same time, some in Dortmund seem to be unconvinced by the performance of head coach Marco Rose. The somewhat withered continue-so in his position seems rather gnashing of teeth, because some wanted a lot more playful ideas and handwriting and more access to the players. Whether Rose will do better without the all-purpose weapon Haaland should be decisive. Rose’s potential replacement, ex-interim coach Edin Terzic, sits constantly in the grandstand as technical manager.
