Reus switch sparks Bayern-Dortmund spat
Reuters - Monday 09 January 2012, 13:29
Bundesliga leaders Bayern
Munich and champions Borussia Dortmund were locked in a war of
words on Monday days after the latter snapped up forward Marco
Reus, long a target for the Bavarians.
The 22-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach and Germany
forward, who has scored 10 goals this season, agreed last week
to join Dortmund at the end of the season in a five-year deal
that is the biggest so far in the winter transfer period.
"Dortmund have been successful in keeping up with their own
understated position," Bayern sports director Christian
Nerlinger told Bild newspaper. "This is now finished with this
transfer. It is a whole new step."
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said Bayern had had a string of
rivals over the years but remained top of the heap as challenges
from clubs such as Werder Bremen, Gladbach and Dortmund faded
after a few seasons.
"Let's wait and see how long they can keep moving on this
level," Heynckes told reporters.
Dortmund, surprisingly dominant champions last season and in
second place three points behind Bayern in the current campaign,
have repeatedly played down their chances of defending the
title, saying they would be happy with a finish that would
secure them European football next season.
"Have no fear. When we decide to change our strategy we will
make sure to let Mr Nerlinger know," Dortmund coach Jurgen
Klopp told reporters in response.
The 1997 Champions League winners have come back from the
brink of financial ruin a few years ago to become Bayern's
biggest title rivals in recent seasons.
Reus's reported 17-million-euro transfer only underlines
their ambition for a more permanent place at the top of the
Bundesliga.