The move from Salih Özcan (24) from 1. FC Köln to Borussia Dortmund continues to concern FC fans. BILD spoke about this transfer with Stefan Kuntz (59), who, as national coach, made Özcan a Turkish national team player.
BILD: Did you personally know that Salih Özcan is going to BVB?
Kuntz: “Salih had let me in on it. I was in Cologne two weeks ago during training to talk to Steffen Baumgart about load management at Salih with regard to the Nations League. I then also talked to Salih. He informed me that there would be contact with Borussia.”
“I can only congratulate BVB on this player”
BILD: Did you congratulate Özcan on the move?
Kuntz: “I don’t have to because Salih deserves a club like Dortmund himself. He showed what he’s made of in Cologne. I’m curious to see how he develops now. He’s not a very young player anymore, he’s just the right age to take this step. The change is completely understandable for me. I can only congratulate BVB on this player.”
BILD: You already know Özcan from the DFB-U21, they became European champions together in 2021. What makes him special?
Kuntz: “He was almost further along as a personality than as a footballer. I take my hat off to him all the more for how he made himself as a player.”
BILD: What part does Steffen Baumgart have in this?
Kuntz: “If you look at Salih’s development, Steffen’s share can’t be that small. But I can only say that from the outside.”
Photo: Andreas Pohl
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BILD: How do you plan with Özcan for the Turkish national team?
Kuntz: “There is a change with us, some players are no longer available. With regard to the EM 2024 in Germany, Salih plays an important role in the team for me.”
BILD: Can you understand the disappointment of some FC fans about the move?
Kuntz: “Of course, I know that from Lautern, too, when we couldn’t keep our own plants several times. This is often due to the club development in recent years that you can no longer keep up with larger clubs. You have to accept that. The fans should be proud of Salih. He gave Cologne a lot – the door should always be open for him at FC.”
