DPA/Dortmund
The supposed dream marriage between long-serving utility player Kevin Grosskreutz and Borussia Dortmund is in danger of falling apart. His public complaints over the club’s lack of willingness to discuss a new deal have not helped the Germany World Cup winner.
Slowly but surely, even mild-mannered new Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel has become tired of Grosskreutz’s utterances. But the former Mainz boss has attempted to smooth things over with the injury-prone 27-year-old.
“Between us everything is fine. His criticism was not directed at me,” Tuchel said.
At Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win over Sevilla in Wuppertal, Grosskreutz was wildly applauded by the fans after he came off the bench following a long injury layoff.
Despite various escapades off the field, the Dortmund-born player still enjoys huge popularity as the club’s sporting director Michael Zorc knows full well.
“Kevin is a Dortmund veteran and identifies himself totally with the club,” Zorc remarked.
Despite this, Zorc is not yet ready to extend Grosskreutz’s contract beyond the end of this season, much to the annoyance of the full back who on occasions has also played upfront.
“I am deeply disappointed that no one has talked to me at Dortmund for weeks,” he recently told the Bild newspaper, having made another public outburst the week before.
He has been linked in the media with Cologne and Tuchel warned Grosskreutz not to push the situation too far.
“I am disappointed that he publicly commented on this subject for the second time. This is not what we agreed,” Tuchel said.
Zorc was even more forthright. “If he has a desire to talk to us, we are happy to be available. He should make sure that he is fit again first.”
Grosskreutz’s persistent knee injuries are one reason for the faltering negotiations.
“I think it is normal that the club does not discuss a deal with him yet given he expressed doubts only four weeks ago about whether he would ever play again,” Tuchel added.
With the July and August transfer window ticking down, all options appear to be on the table. But Grosskreutz wants to show at least some decency.
“Of course it may be that I will change clubs, it could happen. But if I go I want to leave here in the proper way,” he said on Instagram. Now to see what happens next.
