The Illustrious History of Borussia Dortmund: A Tale of Triumphs and Trials

Introduction

Borussia Dortmund, commonly known as BVB, is a professional football club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany1. Founded in 1909, the club has a rich history that spans over a century12. This blog will delve into the history of Borussia Dortmund, spotlighting their best players, coaches, and titles throughout history.

The Early Years

The club was founded on 19 December 1909 by a group of young men unhappy with the Catholic church-sponsored Trinity Youth, where they played football under the stern and unsympathetic eye of the local parish priest1. The club barely avoided bankruptcy in 1929, and being an anti-Nazi oriented club during the Third Reich regime certainly didn’t help matters2.

Legendary Players

Borussia Dortmund has been home to some of the world’s finest football players. From legendary forwards to stalwart defenders, Dortmund has had some of the best players in the history of German football345.

Marco Reus

Marco Reus, Dortmund born and bred, joined the BVB youth system at only seven years of age3. Famous for his relentless hard work and versatility, Reus has found the net approximately every other game in the eight years since his arrival3.

Matthias Sammer

Matthias Sammer, signing from Inter Milan at the midpoint of the 1992/93 season, made an instant impact at Dortmund3. Sammer holds the honour of being the only Dortmund captain ever to have lifted the Champions League trophy, which was earned in 19973.

Michael Zorc

Michael Zorc is a one club man who holds the record for the most appearances for Dortmund, playing 572 times over 17 years of service as a player3.

Notable Coaches

Borussia Dortmund has been guided by some of the most influential coaches in football history. These coaches have left an indelible mark on the club and have been instrumental in its success67.

Jürgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp, who joined the club in 2008, won the club’s seventh championship title in 2010–11. In his fourth season, Dortmund won the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal to complete the first league and cup double in the club’s history7.

Ottmar Hitzfeld

Ottmar Hitzfeld is the club’s most successful coach, having won both the Bundesliga and Supercup twice. In 1997, Dortmund had waited for continental success for over 30 years; Hitzfeld crowned his period with an unexpected triumph and won the Champions League7.

Titles and Achievements

Borussia Dortmund has won eight league championships, five DFB-Pokals, one UEFA Champions League, one Intercontinental Cup, and one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup18. The club won their first Serie A title in the 1956-57 season, a feat they repeated in the 1962-63, 1994-95, 1995-96, 2001-02, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2022-23 seasons18. In European competitions, Dortmund won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1965-66 season and the UEFA Champions League in the 1996-97 season18.

Conclusion

The history of Borussia Dortmund is filled with memorable moments, legendary players, and iconic coaches. The club’s rich history and passionate fan base make it one of the most respected and loved football clubs in Germany. As we look forward to the future, we can only expect that the legacy of Borussia Dortmund will continue to grow and inspire generations of football fans around the globe.