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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is hoping that Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel will persuade him to stay in Dortmund past the conclusion of the 2015/16 season.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Mkhitaryan explained how Tuchel convinced him to stay back in March of 2015 when the two met. Prior to the meeting, Mkhitaryan was considering a summer exit.
I wanted to stay also, because I had some things to prove to the people, to show that I deserve to be here. That's why I am trying to stay this year also, to show all my qualities in helping the team to win a lot of games. I'm very happy that I have the chance to work with him.
The Armenian international has scored six times and added 11 assists in sixteen league games this season. Mkhitaryan credits Tuchel with his vast improvement.
"He just gives you the confidence you need and he lets you to do what you can do. And that's the whole reason that all the team's players are all shining this year," Mkhitaryan told Deutsche Welle.
Mkhitaryan's contract runs out at the end of the 2016/17 season, but the Armenian remains hopeful that Tuchel will once again convince him to stay.
Mkhitaryan hopes Tuchel can convince him to remain at Borussia Dortmund https://t.co/J1iYFrzE7V pic.twitter.com/37HdYYY8eS
— News-round.com (@newsroundcom) January 22, 2016
Friday marks his 27th birthday, and the former Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker has continued to show his skill in the Bundesliga. In 75 career games, he has scored 18 goals, recorded 22 assists, and created 138 scoring chances, according to Football Insider.
"If he did the first step, why not the second?" said Mkhitaryan.