"It's time to set a deadline" – Lothar Matthäus on Dortmund's ongoing contract talks with Nico Schlotterbeck
| Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images |
For months, Borussia Dortmund and Nico Schlotterbeck have been in talks over a potential contract extension beyond 2027, but as both sides have stated this week, no decision has been made yet.
Germany legend Lothar Matthäus has now urged the Black and Yellows to set a deadline to conclude discussions with the centre-back.
He expects new sporting director Ole Book, who has come in to replace Sebastian Kehl, and sporting managing director Lars Ricken to approach Schlotterbeck soon with the goal of reaching a decision.
“It’s time to set a deadline. Schlotterbeck is important, and you don’t want to put pressure on him – Kehl handled that psychologically very well – but now it’s time to make a decision,” Matthäus told Sky Germany.
“It will be crucial for Schlotterbeck, and also for the national team, that there is clarity before the World Cup,” he added.
From Schlotterbeck’s perspective, Matthäus understands why he wants a clarifying conversation with the club’s sporting management.
“I understand Schlotterbeck, because something has changed in Dortmund off the pitch in the sporting department. Schlotterbeck wants to see where the decision-makers, Ole Book and Lars Ricken, stand with him.
"I expect that within the next two weeks, they will meet a few times to discuss the future,” he said.
