By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Fans of the Blacks and Yellows are fearful of the club's ability to survive the current difficult times. Many fear additional setbacks could endanger the club's future after what club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke called the most difficult year in history.
The first answers will be delivered when the 34th and last Bundesliga match is played this coming weekend. Borussia Dortmund is facing a final that many feared, but nobody wanted.
The list of problems is long and an indication that the club is in the middle of some disarray in advance of one of the most crucial games of the recent past as they are battling with TSG Hoffenheim for a place in next year's Champions League.
Currently, it seems uncertain as to who can slip into the role of a successful crisis manager.
Peter Stoeger is basically a lame duck as the coach is expected to be replaced by the Swiss Lucien Favre (OGC Nice). Before departing, the Austrian has one last task as he has to secure the Champions League with a squad full of uncertainty and doubt.
The unsolved coaching issue has led to an imbalance on the team. While the club is avoiding a clear statement, media reports speak of the club coming to an agreement with Favre. The French daily sports newspaper L'Equipe reports the Favre deal will be announced within the next ten days.
Other reports in Germany speak of Favre first waiting to see if Dortmund can clinch a Champions League place before signing a contract.
Dortmund midfielder Sebastian Rode more or less announced Stoeger's departure in a TV show. The entire squad, Rode said, is expecting a new coach. Rode's statements caused serious reverberations because the midfielder also accused the club of having made a severe mistake when demoting team captain Marcel Schmelzer. Rode indicated the entire team was unhappy with the club's actions.
The club signaled Rode would be fined for his indiscretion. Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc insisted the club has not yet come to a decision on the coaching issue.
"The team's performance was embarrassing," Zorc stressed after the BVB lost their last home game of the season to underdog FSV Mainz by 2-1. The former striker again mentioned the necessity of restructuring the squad. Media reports spoke of a failed test of character, of a team lacking essential defense qualities and mentality.
Not qualifying for the Champions League would mean a serious setback in the club's attempt to attract new talents and back up claim to be the No. 2 in German football behind Bayern Munich.
Watzke emphasized the importance of the Champions League as being amongst the top ten in Europe has a significant effect on the range of sponsor's investments. Dropping out of the top ten would be equal to a financial meltdown for Borussia.
Club officials and a possible new coach have put planning for the new season on hold until after the game in Hoffenheim. So far Dortmund coaches (Thomas Tuchel and Peter Bosz) couldn't satisfy the club's needs. Stoeger is already the third coach within the last 12 months.
Coach Stoeger meanwhile said it is no surprise that the side again has to make up for mistakes and bad performances. "Didn't everybody expect a difficult and exciting finish? Here we are now," Stoeger said adding he is disappointed by his team's general attitude.
