The Daily Bee (April 16th, 2019): Kevin de Bruyne almost joined BVB

• Kevin de Bruyne almost ended up at BVB (The Players Tribune)

BVB-fans have often wondered what could have been when rumors came up that Kevin de Bruyne actually wanted to join Borussia Dortmund in 2013. Now de Bruyne himself has talked about the situation:

When I was at Chelsea, there was so much in the press about my relationship with José Mourinho. But the truth is that I only ever spoke to him twice. The plan was always for me to go on loan for a bit. So I went to Werder Bremen in 2012, and that season went great. When I came back to Chelsea the next summer, a few German clubs wanted to sign me. Klopp wanted me to come to Borussia Dortmund, and they played the kind of football that I enjoy. So I thought maybe Chelsea would let me go. But then Mourinho texted me, “You are staying. I want you to be part of this team.”

Jürgen Klopp already admitted that BVB had to choose between Mkhitaryan, Eriksen and de Bruyne. It looks like the Belgian midfielder was the first choice but Mourinho prevented a transfer only to not play him for half a season.

• Isak, BVB’s new hope at striker? (Bundesliga.com)

Another interesting piece from Bundesliga.com about Alexander Isak and the possibility of him being Borussia Dortmund’s next starting striker.

• Pal Dardai won’t continue as Hertha-coach (kicker)

The second longest tenured Bundesliga coach (Nr.1 being Christian Streich in Freiburg) will quit as Hertha BSC Berlin’s head coach. Pal Dardai was in Berlin for four and a half years and stabilized a club that seemed in constant tumoilr before he arrived. Nevertheless the success stalled this season and the club failed to take the next step and contend for a top 6 spot. In a very unusual move Dardai will actually stay with the club and work as a youth coach in the future.

• Is Gündogan an option for BVB?

Ilkay Gündogan still seems reluctant to sign an extension with Manchester City and it looks increasingly likely that he’ll actually leave the Premier League club. A new report suggests the central midfielder will be available for 25€ million, a fee that BVB technically could pay. The German international will certainly be a hot commodity if he’ll be available this summer and it’s questionable if Dortmund can compete with other clubs when it come to contract offers but Michael Zorc should definitely try to get Gündogan to return.