Dortmund boss disappointed with big departures

Borussia Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel admits he is disappointed with the recent departures of key players after Henrikh Mkhitaryan joined Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan in leaving the Westfalenstadion.

Mkhitaryan joined Manchester United, while Gundogan joined cross town rivals Manchester City and Hummels returned to old club Bayern Munich, but Tuchel insists they did everything they could to hold onto the talented trio.

I’m not going to reflect on too much. The change Mats, Illy and Miky made… they did it because of they are what they are. Because of their personality. Because they are always searching for the best. Because they always want the maximum.

“Their approach is infectious on the whole squad here. They set examples in the way they lived and became mainstays. And because they are, what they are, they accept the challenge at those top clubs.

“That the whole transfer took so long, as it was the same at Mats, was because we were determined to hold onto them, that we had something to offer. We really tried everything. I think there’s no more or less disappointment,” Tuchel said.

“Again, we really wanted to hold onto them, everybody at the club wanted them to stay. It was our desire to go the extra mile with our team. To reinforce the squad again. But unfortunately we weren’t successful. So we have to accept this.

“To accept the quality we’ve lost. It goes without saying, when you defend behind Miky our beside Mats, you always feel safe,” he added.

Meanwhile, the 42-year-old admits he was impressed with Jakub Blaszcykowski’s performances at Euro 2016, and expects the Pole to rejoin the club after a season on loan at Florentina.

“Kuba had a great Euros and he’s put his hands up with his performances, after some ups and downs last year at Florence. He’s enjoying a well-earned break at the minute. After that, I’m sure he’s coming back to us and then we will see what’s the best for all in this situation. And to see, which role he can play.

“We’ll compare, and see what he’s expecting. There will be some dialogue, A comparison on the expectations, the impressions. So, at the moment, it’s too soon to talk about this.”