On Saturday, ahead of Borussia Dortmund’s crucial Bundesliga clash with Wolfsburg, BVB’s sporting director confirmed that Mario Gotze will be leaving the Westfalenstadion at the end of this season.
The 27-year-old, who scored Germany’s winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina, only returned to Dortmund in 2016, having left for Bayern Munich three seasons earlier.
Now that Mario Gotze is free to talk to other clubs, speculation will build regarding his future, and one club which could look to sign him are Liverpool, given the kind of influence Jurgen Klopp had over the attacking midfielder during his developmental years when they were together at Dortmund.
A brief history of Mario Gotze
The Germany international joined Dortmund’s youth academy in 2001 and continued to progress through the ranks. He would go on to make his debut for the senior team in 2009.
There was no looking back for Gotze, who became an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s young brigade at Dortmund. The pair would go on to taste huge success together, winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2010-11 and 2011-12.
Due to his starring presence in Dortmund’s winning run, Gotze found himself on the radar of Bayern Munich, and in 2013, he joined the Bavarians.
During his stint at the Allianz Arena, the 27-year-old made 114 appearances, found the back of the net 36 times, whilst also amassing 24 assists.
He wasn’t a success in the Bayern shirt, and after struggling to break into the playing eleven, Gotze came back to the Black and Yellows after three seasons, in a move worth £20 million.
The return and struggles at Borussia Dortmund
A combination of niggling injuries and bad form has seen the playmaker’s progress being hindered in recent years. Add to that the brilliant form of Julian Brandt, Gotze is struggling for playing time again.
Football can be harsh at times, the struggles of Dortmund’s number 10 become all the more evident from his stats this season.
Gotze has played just 20 times across all competitions, and his tally of three goals do not do justice to his talent. His second stint at BVB will come to an end at the end of the season as the Bundesliga giants decided against renewing his contract.
The soon-to-be free agent could be interested in plying his trade outside Germany next season and a move to the Premier League could be on the cards.
“We will part ways with Mario Gotze this summer. It was a mutual and respectful decision. Mario is a great man.
“He is a very good player who comes from our own youth system. But it is also in his spirit that he is looking for a new job. Maybe abroad.”
Dortmund sporting director, Michael Zorc
A romantic reunion at Anfield?
Before returning to Dortmund from Bayern Munich, Mario Gotze, in his documentary ‘Being Mario Gotze’, made a big revelation that Jurgen Klopp tried to lure him to Anfield.
“I decided to leave Bayern and Jurgen Klopp was interested in getting me to Liverpool. And I was also interested in working with him again.
“It’s still existing. He is a world-class coach and that’s why it’s always an option. I decided to join Borussia Dortmund, but it was not a decision against Liverpool or Jurgen Klopp. But on the contrary.”
Now that Gotze is available on a Bosman transfer, why not head over to the mentor who gave him his first-team debut. For their part, Liverpool have nothing to lose, it’s mostly a risk-free move getting a World-cup winner on a free transfer.
While his best days may be behind him, Gotze played some scintillating football under Klopp, and maybe that’s what he needs again – a coach who trusts him and believes in his abilities.
If the German tactician still has an interest in coaching his mentee again remains to be seen, but if this move does go through, Gotze would surely be dreaming again.
All stats courtesy: Transfermarkt.co.in
