Borussia Dortmund boss slammed for 'delusional' remark over Florian Wirtz's move to Liverpool as fans left stunned

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has been called out by fans over a 'delusional' comment about Florian Wirtz's impending move to Liverpool.

As per The Athletic, the Reds have agreed a deal worth an initial £100 million, plus £16 million in add-ons, to sign attacking midfielder Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Should those add-ons be triggered in full, Wirtz would become the most expensive player in English football history.

His deal was due to expire in 2027, and Bayer reportedly wanted to sell him before he entered the last year of his contract if they could not convince him to renew.

In deciding to join Liverpool, Wirtz rejected Bayern Munich, despite holding talks with their manager Vincent Kompany.

Bayern have hoovered up domestic talent in recent years, signing the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels, Mario Gotze, Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka - to name a few - from their Bundesliga rivals.

And only this summer have they completed a deal to sign Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah as a free agent.

Watzke - who is also the vice-president of the German FA (DFB) - was asked about Wirtz's move to Liverpool, and gave an unexpected answer.

"Especially for the DFL [who administrate the Bundesliga and other German leagues], it's a real shame that a player like Florian Wirtz is leaving the Bundesliga," he told Sky Sports Germany.

"I wouldn't have had any problem at all if he had gone to FC Bayern. That would have been better for the Bundesliga."

Florian Wirtz in action for Germany earlier in June (Image: Getty)

Watzke's comments appeared to be aimed at one of the world's top stars being able to keep playing in Germany if he signed for Bayern, and as a result potentially improve their UEFA co-efficient by Champions League performance, which would help other German teams qualify for Europe's top competition.

Some fans claimed his comments were not controversial because of that reason, and due to the fact that Bayern and Dortmund are not fierce rivals.

But given his role as Dortmund CEO - it is worth noting he will depart this role in autumn 2025 - other fans were surprised by his remarks.

One wrote: "I do personally believe that not being able to keep the jewel of the national team (alongside Musiala) in their native league is worrying but you can't be saying that about your rival who's tormented you for about a decade. It's just as damaging."

A second said: "Please stop speaking. Someone has to take his mic away."

A third asked: "Does the CEO really think that strengthening a team that eats the Bundesliga trophy for breakfast is good for the league? Delusion..."

And a fourth exclaimed: "How do you utter these words as the Dortmund CEO and not hate yourself?"