In April of 2013, Mario Gotze became the most hated man in Dortmund after it was announced that Gotze, a product of Dortmund’s youth academy, would be transferring to fierce rivals Bayern Munich.
The timing of the announcement did little to help Gotze’s cause — it emerged on the eve of a momentous Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. Munich had met Gotze’s release clause of €37 million and the midfielder was keen to play under Pep Guardiola, much to the annoyance of then BVB manager Jurgen Klopp.
Gotze’s first season at Bayern confirmed his status as one of the best young players in Germany. A Bundesliga title, DFB-Pokal cup triumph and FIFA Club World Cup were all achieved while Gotze scored 15 goals for the Bavarians. The following summer, he’d cement his place in German history with the game-winning goal at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
From there, it all went downhill for the 2011 Golden Boy-winner. The 2014-15 season saw him receive criticism from German legend Franz Beckenbauer, who thought he lacked the requisite determination of a Bayern player. He missed a penalty in the DFB-Pokal semi-final defeat to BVB, and his goal scoring total in the Bundesliga dropped.
His 2015-16 season was even worse. Gotze fell out of favor in the Bayern squad. He only appeared in 14 Bundesliga matches, scoring three goals. His meager return of six goals across all competitions was hardly what was expected of a 24-year-old with 56 German caps to his name.
Rumors surrounding his impending exit from Bayern came thick and fast. Of course, a return to Borussia Dortmund was among those possible outcomes.
Dortmund fans, however, remained unimpressed. In April, the South Bank of Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion (the famous “Yellow Wall”) unfurled a banner reading: “Milan or Madrid. No way Dortmund. Piss off Gotze.”
That hasn’t stopped Dortmund officials from finalizing an agreement to re-sign their prodigal son. Gotze has agreed to a 4-year-deal that will cost BVB €26 million. Gotze was quick to address the Dortmund fans who are less than pleased about his return, writing on Facebook:
Transferring to Bayern Munich in 2013 was a deliberate decision, and I'm not hiding behind it. Three years later, at the age of 24, I'm looking back on it differently. I understand very well that many fans didn't understand my decision. I wouldn't make the same decision today either! Now that I'm returning to my home, I want to try to convince everybody - and in particular the ones who will not greet me with open arms - with my performance. My goal is to play my best football again. For everybody, the club and the BVB-fans.
Regardless of supporter pride, BVB have signed a young player of immense quality. At only 24 years of age, he’s played for Germany 56 times while scoring 17 goals.
Supporters will inevitably be hoping that he can recapture the form of his final year with the club, when he scored 16 goals to go along with 13 assists while forming an incredible attacking partnership with Marco Reus.
(H/T: ESPN FC)
Follow me on Twitter: @ConmanFleming
