Borussia Dortmund's Lars Ricken and Ole Book discuss Schalke's Bundesliga return and the club's 2026/27 plans
Barely two weeks have passed since the curtain came down on the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, but Borussia Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken and sporting director Ole Book are already looking ahead to the new campaign - particularly to facing fierce local rivals Schalke once again.
Although they finished runners-up to Bayern Munich in 2025/26, Dortmund’s 73-point haul still ranks as the fifth-best Bundesliga campaign in the club’s history - an impressive return, but one that has done little to satisfy the standards inside at Signal Iduna Park.
The need to stay fully switched on has only intensified with Schalke’s top-flight return. After three seasons in Bundesliga 2, the Royal Blues stormed back as champions, restoring the Revierderby to the Bundesliga calendar.
With bragging rights, local pride and regional supremacy back on the line, Dortmund know this summer is about far more than merely keeping pace with record champions Bayern.
Speaking to outlet SPORT BILD on Schalke’s promotion-winning exploits, Ricken admitted: "I wasn’t sitting in front of the TV anxiously crossing my fingers, but we’ll look forward to the derbies. Their promotion has an effect […] It’s very good for the Bundesliga that Schalke are back."
Watch: Resurgent Schalke back where they belong
With one eye on the Revierderby and another on a potential push for silverware next term, Dortmund are exploring ways to strengthen in the summer, particularly in the wake of the high-profile departures of the likes of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan, who called time on their BVB careers at the end of the recently ended campaign.
Discussing the club’s recruitment strategy, Book revealed that signing defenders was not Borussia’s top priority. Instead, the Black-Yellows are focused on adding a creative spark.
"We conceded the fewest goals last season. We are physically very strong, and strong on set pieces. Those are qualities we absolutely want to maintain," he explained.
"If we can add even more creativity and offensive punch next season, we can become even stronger. That’s why we want to reinforce the attack."
Nevertheless, Book stressed that Dortmund's aim to add more attacking talent would not be to the detriment of the existing fabric of the team. "We’ll mostly stick with the current system. That’s the foundation. We’ve been very successful with it [...] Our defenders are very comfortable with our current setup - it suits their strengths," he opined.
In addition to keeping faith with the existing setup, Book also declared star midfielder Felix Nmecha as being crucial to BVB's plans and off-limits for potential suitors - the Germany international having attracted interest across Europe for his stellar performances in the engine room last season.
"Felix will play for us next season - that’s the clear plan. He’s one of the best midfielders in Germany and doesn’t need to hide on the European stage. He’s hugely important to our game," the former Elversberg chief said.
Watch: What makes Nmecha so good?
In terms of new faces, meanwhile, Dortmund fans shouldn't expect an overhaul. "We want to rely on talents, but we shouldn’t fall into a rejuvenation frenzy," commented Ricken. "The experienced leaders carry the team through competitions. Young players can learn from them and grow."
Indeed, developing youngsters is something that Dortmund are placing even greater emphasis on going forward. After burgeoning talents Samuele Inácio and Luca Reggiani broke into the first team during the latter stages of 2025/26, Book views the close season as an opportunity to not only build for next term, but also for the long-term future.
"Experienced players are a pillar, but we also need young players with hunger and ambition who give their all in training. Only this mix will lead to success," he declared, clarifying the nature of the five-time Bundesliga champions' philosophy ahead of what will be his first full season in the role of sporting director following his appointment in March.
